Back & a Goodbye to August

August Journal Spreads

Sep 13, 2025

Hello 👋

The last time I updated the Journal & Jazz Substack was months ago. I do have to say that the journal game is still going very strong! Since I last updated, I’ve been consistent with short formed journl videos. I feel like it’s one thing to show your journal spreads and it’s another to introduce the world of journal.

I have some catching up to do with journal documentation so i’ll start with a completed August.

I was at my favorite ice cream shot when I took these photos hence the backdrop. This is an update with my Traveler’s Company Passport size journal. This journal is now almost four years old and I brought this little guy with me everywhere. This journal has been with me to different parts of the globe, from London to Paris, New York and Vegas. The journal had some appearance changes. I have a bear sticker from Merch Motel and a variety of charms attached.

Sometime’s you got to play Goldilocks and dabble into different journal sizes until you find the right one. For me, i’m glad to have the passport size.

The thickness of August. In terms of ‘Ray Journal Style’, this is considered light! Journal can usually go much thicker than this (A thick journal is very much rewarding).

Charms background: CHAPS bear and flan charm from a capsule machine.

I learned on tiktok about “journal ecostystem”. I believe that is journal set-up, so here is mine! Inside my journal is a mini journal from Rollbahn I found at a stationary store in San Fransisco. Inside that mini journal is where ideas and scripts for videos live. It’s also for any spontanous thoughts, and scratch paper as well.

I think you can see my charms a bit better here! Forgot to mention I have a little biscuit charm. After the mini journal in my my main journal! Majority of 2025, I would use the Muji passport size journals. Last year, I stocked up at Muji and made that my designated journal of choice when it comes to inserts. It’s better price than the Traveler’s Company inserts.

For August, I am using a MOSCOT journal that was a gift! It’s slightly taller than the Muji insert so it does stick out but I am not bothered one bit. I love tthe MOSCOT yellow and I love decorating this journal with stickers I received from my friends. Some of the stickers are a gift from my friend Paris and Pumpkin Boy sticker for fall from my friend Sooyoun! As with my other journals, I start off the cover with a cut-out from a photobooth strip for that month.

I usually open the first page when I open my journal so I wanted to decorate it with art that inspires me and makes me happy. On the left was a feather I found at the Dita Von Teese burlesque show that was from a performer’s costume. This made me so so happy and of course, I wanted to keep it in. On the right is a gift from Paris! I’ve been in my cowboy era again and love artwork like this.

Pulling the postcard upwards reveals more cards behind it. I keep each and every postcard, birthday card, and notes. I do have a passport size journal so much smaller, so it’s always so fun to figure out creative ways to add big materials. Birthday card from my friend Marcella who has the most beautiful handwriting!

Some interesting things added in. There are pages from Golden Books and a JIF peanut butter cap that’s behind the Polaroid photo. There is also a pocket I created with various Polaroid photos of August.

Something fun i’ve been doing a lot if adding in little flaps. This makes my journal feel like Wonderland with all the little secret flaps and foldables. It’s also my way of creating more space.

Wanted to note on this page that I would mix in actual vintage postcards/notes into my journal. The flap here is a vintage note! The back of my Polaroid is packaging from a brand of Milk I tried recently. Loved the retro label and had to add it in somehow.

It’s always fun to write in songs that I would be listening to for that month. Each month there’s always a batch of songs that would surprise me later on!

This spread is special because it’s a birthday spread! The orgami paper is from a birthday dinner and the Sweet Garden is a little name tag from a cake I treated myself to on my birthday. On the right is a postcard with Little Tokyo, LA from the past. Every year I visit Little Tokyo and I admire the history and to find a postcard from the past is even special.

Flipping that postcard over also has a surprise. Polaroid photos I took of some solo adventures. One at Boulder City, the other at Bellagio Gardens.

Another special add in is this photograph of Las Vegas from the 60s. I found this at an antique mall and this was a photo out of two. I love the colors of the camera this person used. I love anything old Vegas and after looking it up, this hotel no longer exists anymore.

Dated 1960 on the back.

Another beautiful note from Marcella to the left! Some goodies from Paris on the right with a cute note!

Using ephemera from LUSH on this spread.

With the passport size journal, I have to make do with the space given! I’ve been having a lot of fun writing my thoughts with foldables I can pull up to read later!