Cute has invaded my life. First bunny shoes, and now this. FUNctional is a stationery shop in Megamall A. It’s beside Toy Kingdom, which means I have two black holes to fall into.
![FUNctional at SM Megamall FUNctional at SM Megamall](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional1.jpg)
Everything in the shop comes from China. There are ballpens in all shades of sherbet, folders, pencil cases, and notebooks.
![Two small notebooks Two small notebooks](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional2.jpg)
I bought two notebooks, both with plastic covers. I bought them because the pages weren’t blank.
![Inside the notebook Inside the notebook](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional3.jpg)
Every page, or spread, is a way of doodling or writing. This one invites you to write down four daydreams.
![Built-in doodles Built-in doodles](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional4.jpg)
Sparely-illustrated pages make you think of different ways of interacting with the notebook.
![Ruled - but just half Ruled - but just in the middle](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional5.jpg)
This spread amused me – only half was ruled, the other left plain. This is for people who change their minds mid-page. Or for those who draw and write at the same time. (The desk and chair on the lower left was a built-in doodle. I added the sitting figure and the thought balloon.)
![Another notebook - watercolor wash backgrounds Another notebook - watercolor wash backgrounds](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional6.jpg)
For those in a dreamier frame of mind, there’s a notebook with watercolor washes in different colors.
![Floral thoughts Floral thoughts](http://www.leighreyes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/functional7.jpg)
These remind me of petals. I imagine you can write one word per petal.
The paper is thin, but not irritatingly so. I’d like more of these notebooks. Every writer or artist has experienced the fear of the blank page – with these notebooks, that point is moot. (Plus they’re cute.)