Just received my journal and it is gorgeous - the leather feels wonderful in my hands and has enough natural variation in it to make it feel old and a little bit magical, the paper is thick and luxurious, it even smells good. The tie on mine is woven rather than leather but I actually like that as it seems like it will be easier to tie. My only problem is that it's so beautiful I have that blank page anxiety of wanting to make sure the first thing I put in it is perfect!