Oh Lordy, More Jordi!
Ummm..... yeah. Time for a confession. Remember those pretty notebooks I mentioned that I use for my to-do lists? I deftly omitted the fact that they are Jordi Labanda illustrated notebooks. Yeah. This may seem a week bit tweenager of me, but they are one of my private obsessions. I've loved them since about 2001, way before they were picked up by certain mass market retailers. I knew about them before they were common and I have a stash of spiral bound Jordi books hidden in my cabinets. I love the covers so much that I actually don't throw my old journals away. Okay. I said it. Now you know. Now the world knows. Let's move on with this post.
Jordi is an impossibly talented illustrator from Barcelona who creates these ridiculously indulgent collections of stationery, paper products and other (often silly but mostly just pretty) products. Very few people know about my addiction to the notebooks. My husband and my girlfriend (who prefers I not call her out on my blog, so I'll call her Sasha) are my two secret enablers. And while clients and friends have seen me carry these to meetings, coffeehouses and other affairs, I'm always a week bit embarrassed when they catch a glimpse of the glamorous blonde on the cover. I have to say it feels good to finally come clean and confess my Labanda obsession.
If I'm being completely honest I love the blonde girls because she reminds me of...well, me. But even better, Jordi has a character in his work that also looks just like my husband and one that looks like "Sasha" as well.
So I've been known to give the little books out as gifts to my co-conspirators...knowing full well they can't possibly want to use the books themselves. It's more that I "needed" them to have the books as portraits of their uber fabulous selves. And on some level I suppose I felt this somehow swore them to secrecy. The gift giving version of a pinkie swear.
And maybe that's what I find so appealing about these illustrations. It's a version of you living out an amazing lifestyle. Surrounded by your fabulous friends in impossibly chic locales, dressed to the nines and in full-on chill mode. There's no The Hey Day series is particularly glamorous and seems to be my favorite of the myriad series available. The Audrey Hepburn hair. The LBDs. The big oversize shades. There's something very optimistic about the illustrations. A form of visual escapism.
And so it is was with great shock that I discovered this morning that there is now (wait for it.... wait for it...) a line of clothing. That's right. If the notebooks aren't enough for me, I can now wear a top or carry a tote brandishing the very same image.
I can't say I've decided to go that far. The notebooks (and eventually possibly the cover of my memoir) will suffice for now. So there. I've said it. I've confessed. It's out there. I'm going to go do my happy dance now and get on with my impossibly morning.
And if you're curious, go find the Jordi girl or guy who looks like you. You can rest assured you'll find a chic version of yourself living out a fabulous life in the playground of the rich and fabulous. And who knows, you might just develop a little obsession of your own.
Don't worry. It'll just be our little secret.
these are so cute! they're totally you.
Posted by: beachbungalow8 | June 17, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Girl, it's my deep dark "OMG I hope no one finds out how silly I really am" secret. LOL!
Posted by: franki durbin | June 17, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I saw one on a recent to DC but can't find it here in Richmond:( But I loved the notebooks. I'm still patiently searching...
Posted by: Dawn | June 17, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Co-conspirator Numero Uno checking in! I'm still walking around w/ the little orange number you gave me in my purse (although "Sasha" is not on the cover, it's still uber fab!)...I use it for my dance notes...woohoo! Keep the Jordi crack coming...Lordi Lordi Jordi Jordi! *swoon*
Posted by: glamazini | June 17, 2009 at 12:01 PM
You outed yourself! Whabam! Listen... if you do see me in a Labanda tank, try to keep the giggles to yourself ;)
Posted by: franki durbin | June 17, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I am sooooooo obsessed with jordi!!! my girlfriend that lives in spain turned me onto him... It was love at first sight. Check out my blog, obsessed I tell ya!
I love your blog too!!
Posted by: leticia | June 17, 2009 at 12:28 PM
OMG - Jordi notebooks are what kept me sane during boring lectures while getting my teaching credential! (I still have all my notebooks, too.)
Posted by: Amanda | June 17, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Oh! I love Jason Brooks illustrations which is spookily similar to Jordi's. And despite Jason Brook's Hed Kandi illustrations are a bit more sexy than I'd like his usual work is so beautiful, so inspirational.
Posted by: angel-Arabella | June 18, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Now that is truly fab! Wow! I need those in my life!
Posted by: Latoicha | June 18, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I love Jordi! I've had several of his notebooks over the years. I had one that was completely spent and I refused to give it up for ages because I loved the cover picture so much!
Posted by: A Life More Fabulous | June 18, 2009 at 07:10 PM
So love Jordi and have since . . .foreve. Have OLD line of Jordi Labanda fabric LUGGAGE that is so "I'm not anyone else's suitcase" on the carousel at the airport. Have a sunglasses case, purses, etc. and YES, I take my JL notebooks EVERYWHERE -- even to high-powered business meetings. Just love the internet and now, because of Jordi -- I think I've found a new favorite blog. BUT -- I can't seem to find many JL notebooks in B&N and other stores (even the boutiques) anymore. Any advice on best on-line resources? Jori -- give us more notebooks, please (also noted with despair that his homepages are bereft of "news" (last press story 2008) Mon dieu!
Posted by: Angela | August 23, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Deals are ...: Everyone is capable of purch...
Posted by: thomas sabo | December 29, 2010 at 09:12 PM
I love the notebooks. The paper quality is great. Not to mention beautiful. The pictures are so cute. My problem is that I want to by more of them but I can't find them in any stores near me. I am in manhattan. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Marian A. | January 12, 2011 at 01:59 PM
Marian, Ive purchased most of mine online. Sadly in the past year Target has begun carrying them. Great for easy access. Not so good for exclusivity.
For best luck, try this site:http://www.shopmiquelrius.com/servlet/the-View-by-Designer-cln-Jordi-Labanda/Categories
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Posted by: franki durbin | January 12, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Labanda is one of my favorite illustrators of all time. Meraviglioso, merveilleux, marvellous - always! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Astrid Mueller | April 30, 2011 at 11:43 AM
So good to know Im not alone, Astrid!
Posted by: franki durbin | April 30, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I am a DIE HARD FOREVER JORDI FAN! I still go crazy for his collections! http://pinterest.com/gigibell/
Posted by: Gigi | October 26, 2012 at 04:41 PM