LH Style is a new shop which sells stylish handcrafted binders, home to an eclectic little catalog of designs: leopard print and lipstick kisses, elegant Asian script, kilt-pinned plaid, or satin-framed butterflies. There are special albums for weddings and babies, and other binders devoted to world travel or adored pets. We were sent a “Tropical Vinyl” mini-binder for review, and upon opening this package, my first thought was of being seven years old and looking through my aunt’s kitschy photo albums, which she’d bought in the 70’s to showcase Sixties-era pictures of my family. It’s SO cute!

(oh, and that little guy in the background? That’s Bingo, one of our first two foster kittens for the season. He’ll be up for adoption at the SF-SPCA in a few weeks.)

Measuring 9 by 7 inches, it features a background of bright spring green, with a sprawling floral motif. It’s done up in a very sturdy vinyl, quite impressive for being handmade – this is definitely something that will last you through the next few decades as a memento-holder, or a safe place to keep a journal if you’ve had it with toting around flimsy notebooks. The interior is yellow cloth, and it arrives considerately packed with protective paper folded between the rings and the flaps, within a cloth bag. A nice blend of good design and high-quality construction definitely recommended if you’re in the binder market.

Albums do not include photo pages or paper, but are available as an extra. Custom is also available. (Unfortunately not for sale, but worth a mention: the Punk Rock binder.)