Back after 3 years

It's been over 3 years since I blogged, and I've been struggling with what to write about since I'm so behind in blogging.  I decided to write about a subsection of my pen and paper obsession; mini stationary products.  While not always practical, they are always charming to look at.  So for my first attempt to dip my toe back into the blogging waters, I decided to show some of my mini products.


The first is from a line of products Staples rolled out this summer created with the input of actual middle school students.  It's called the "Big Pen Accessory Pack"

The writing instruments are cute but the pen and pencil, in particular would be hard to write with for any significant length of time.  The marker has a nice long point and they chiseled point on the highlighter makes for easy highligting.  I just wonder how long the writing instruments will last with regular use.


My next new mini is a pack of mini Ink Joy pens.

Ink Joys write very smoothly as it is and I love the variety of colors in one small package.


This next item is call a "micro binder" from Staples.  It's like a miniaturized binder with blank paper on the inside instead of ruled paper.  But it's still a cute little binder.

I purchased the next items form the Muji store in the Village in NYC.  I love Muji tabs anyway and was thrilled to see the mini version.

My favorite mini pen, which I carry everyday, is set of 2 mini multi-pens from Bic.  I love multi-pens.  Bic, in my opinion, combined the best of both worlds.

Finally, I have a mini-stapler and mini-tape dispenser I purchased at a discount store (my favorite place to shop for name brand pens).   I use them sparingly since I can't locate refills.

So while I'm wild about minis, the general lack of refills make them impractical.  But they are fun to have.

Semi-Wordless Wedensday

Writing related rubber stamps.

PHX-1: Design Tool Set

Then Pen Addict introduced me to the PHX-1 Design Tool Set when he mentioned the PHX-1 Campaign back in November 2011.  The campaign is over but I was lucky enough to become one of the backers before the campaigned ended.  I received the tool yesterday which was like Christmas all over again.

This is truly a design tool.  The Bamboo case is simple and elegant as is the tool itself. The case is covered by a sliding seven (7) measurement ruler. I can probably only undstertand about 3 of them.  But it doesn't matter.  I love the tool. It is a hollow, stainless body that houses Hi-Tec-C and Signo DX refills in the writing instrument end and a hobby knife at the other end.  You have to supply your own refill and hobby knife. Both ends screw on securely when not in use.  

 It is almost too nice to use in my line of work but I fully intend to whip it at my next meeting.  I plan to dramatically unveil it from its case at the very start of the meeting to the admiration of all in attendance Can't wait!!  I'm such a geek.  I'm thrilled to have in my collection.  Here are some photographs of the tool which do not do the tool justice.  I used a Hi-Tec-C .4mm refill in the pictures. I'll try the Signo refill next time.



The link found through Pen Addict has much better pictures.

Black Barrel Post-it Flag + Highlighter & Pen via AMAZON Locker



A few weeks ago, I walked to my local Rite-Aid and noticed this large, grey contraption near the entrance, bearing the words “Amazon Locker”.  There was a little television screen in the middle of the structure.  As soon as I got home, I jumped on the internet to figure out what the heck it was.  Turns out, it’s a new delivery method for receiving your Amazon.com orders.  Amazon has been testing it out in various parts of the country and NYC is the next area.

Now, it may seem like a rather pointless idea when you can just have your goods shipped to your home.  However, if you live in an apartment building in NYC and you don’t happen to have doorman, receiving deliveries can be somewhat of a pain.  I try not to receive too many packages at work so I’m often stuck having to wait until the weekend to retrieve my package from the post office.  So for me, it’s useful.  Sort of a free post office box with hours to fit my work schedule.

I decided to test the service by ordering Post-it Flag + Highlighter & Pen with the new black barrels.  This version is very similar to other versions of the Post-it Flag + Highlighter & Pen models.  The only real difference is in the aesthetics.  Instead of a barrel with sparkles or squiggly lines, the barrel is black with small silver dots.  Then pen is a much more modern looking pen than the others and is far more appealing to me.  I use them at work on a regular basis.

The pen performs like similar pens.  The ink is nice and black and the highlighter works well.  I like larger Post-it tabs but these will do in a pinch.

If the Amazon Locker comes to you area, you should check it out.  And if you like the Post-it Flag + Highlighter & Pen, check out the new design.  Thus far, I’ve only seen the pens on Amazon.



Holiday Journal Donations

Holiday Journal Donations

Journaling has been an important part of my life since at least the 6^th grade.  It was my best friend when I mistakenly thought I had no friends. I could cry into my journal and still appear strong to the outside world.  Mostly, it helped me work through emotional issues when professional help was unavailable to me.  Whenever I encounter a troubled youth, I suggest journaling and professional help. I'm sure some of you have had similar experiences.  Maybe that’s why I collect (hoard) so many journals.

For years, I have wanted to donate my unused journals but could not find the avenue for donating them. Thank goodness for Fresh Air Fund Holiday Drive in New York.   Among the gifts on their "wish list" are writing journals and diaries.  Well, that’s right up my alley.

I picked 10 black journals and decorated them with silver ribbon and added a disposable fountain pen. I will remove my fingerprints before gifting them. :)



I added a label to each of the journals which reads “This Journal Belongs To ______________”.  I used a rubber stamp of a fountain pen at the top of the label.  I have to work on centering the rubber stamp for the inside label. 

I hope they like them.

Staples Coupon - Free Eco-Easy Bag and 15% Off - Valid through 11/23/2011

Great pre-Thanksgiving deal.

I took advantage of this deal back in June.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday - 11/16/2011 - Storage Box #3 (Purple Pens)

New Bic Disposable Fountain Pens



Armed with a new $1 off Bic coupon, I trekked through the slush and sleet this weekend and visited my local Staples to browse their selection of Bic pens.  I was delighted to discover a new Bic product.  Bic has come out with disposable fountain pens in a 2 pack of black pens and a 3 pack of blue, black and red pens.  I have a few Varsity disposable fountain pens so I looked forward to trying Bic’s version. 

The Bic fountain pens are larger than the Varsity fountain pens  The larger barrels make the Bic fountain pens slightly more comfortable to use.  The Bic fountain pens appear to hold more ink so I should be able to use them longer.  Overall, I prefer the look of the Bic fountain pens.

In terms of performance, I have to give the edge to the Bic fountain pens because the Bic nibs have a slightly finer point.  My one complaint about the Bic fountain pens has to do with the red pen.  In person, the ink comes out as a very watery red that almost looks pink.  However, I would certainly buy the black and blue versions again.

If you happen to visit Staples and like disposable fountain pens, you should check out Bic’s new offering.  Make sure to print off a coupon from Bic’s Facebook page before you purchase the pens.  Just sign into you Facebook account and click this link. 

My First Poppin Office Supplies Order

I first became aware of Poppin when I read a post on The Well Appointed Desk blog back in June.  A few weeks ago, I saw that Poppin, in honor of breast cancer awareness month, will donate 25% of the proceeds from all on-line sales of pink and magenta products to the Young Survival Coalition.  I decided it was a great time to try out their products and to contribute to a worthy cause. 

I ordered 3 different types of pens, a medium softcover notebook in pink, and a small softcover notebook in magenta.  I received my order within three days and I’m very happy with my selections.  This review will focus on the pens.  I will review the notebooks in a subsequent post.

 

The products came in an orange box featuring pictures of different types of office supplies.  When I opened the box, there was an insert with a picture of staple remover and the phrase “nice to meet you!” in a thought  bubble.  When I lifted the insert, I saw that the packing material consisted of inflated bags with the phrases “hello!” and “nice digs!” in thought bubbles.  Under the bags was an orange, reusable envelope with the Poppin logo and the words “important documents”.  The envelope contained the invoice for the order. 

I am amazed by their attention to detail in the packaging.  I definitely had one of those “uhh, ahh, ohh” experiences as I removed each layer from the box.

My order consisted of stick ballpoint pens in blue, black gel ink pens and grey signature ballpoint pens.  The words “Poppin”, “Poppin BallPoint” and “Poppin Gel” are subtly printed on the barrels of the corresponding pens. The blue stick pens have almost jewel toned, plastic bodies.  The pens’ design reminds me of a Pilot Better Ballpoint pen.  The gel and ball point pens have similar barrels and metal clips on the caps.  The gel and ball point pens are refillable although I am not sure which type of refill to use.  All of the pens are extremely light weight with the stick pens being the lightest.  The barrels of the gel and ball point pens are wider than I would like but they are comfortable to use.  The inks in all the pens flow freely.  I had only a minor skipping issue with the gel pens when I changed the angle of my grip. 

The signature pens come in several colors, however, all of the signature pens have black ink.  I think it would be great if Poppin could match the ink color to the barrel color.  I’d also love it if the ink in the gel pens came in colors other than black blue and red.  Finally, I wish there was a way to order the pens as singles or in a sampler.  The one pen sampler they do offer comes with 132 pens.  While I love pens, 132 of the same style is a bit much for me.  The sampler is perfect, however, for an office environment.

The products' prices are very reasonable.  I will certainly place another order so I can try some of the other products.  

Staples Coupons - 50% off uni-ball and Zebra products - (valid in store only through 10/29/2011)

I will definitely be using the uni-ball coupon.


50% off of uni-ball writing items

http://reg.e.staples.com/c/s/tagfrm/hBOpsIPB7SHGCB8eJUANszRorgO/coupon.html?n=1422&email=mdfalls@aol.com&COUPON_1=87510&cm_lm=mdfalls@aol.com&cid=EM:CM:_BOpsIPB8eJUAzi&om_rid=mdfalls@aol.com

50% off Zebra bulk packs
http://reg.e.staples.com/c/s/tagfrm/hBOpsIPB7SHGCB8eJUANszRorgO/coupon.html?n=1435&email=mdfalls@aol.com&COUPON_1=18090&cm_lm=mdfalls@aol.com&cid=EM:CM:_BOpsIPB8eJUAzi

Moleskine Writing Set Box with .7 mm Rollerball Pen

A few months ago, I pre-ordered the Moleskine Writing Set Box from Amazon.com.    Last year, I saw similar boxes on the moleskineasia.com website but the boxes sold out before I could order one.   When I saw the Writing Set Box available for purchase in the U.S., I pre-ordered it right away.  Today, I finally received the long awaited box.


The actual box looks like a Moleskine notebook with various “writing themed” words in different fonts embossed on the cover.  The label wrapped around the box has pencil drawings of a ruled pocket notebook and an uncapped rollerball pen. 

When you open the box, there is a large, pleated pocket on the front inside cover.  Inside the pocket is the standard pamphlet containing the  Moleskine history.  The main section of the box is covered by a piece of paper with the words  “Writing Set”.

When you lift the piece of paper, you discover a pocket ruled notebook and a .7 mm rollerball pen.   The notebook and pen are secured inside the box by a specially molded, removable foam insert.  The paper label surrounding the pocket notebook is similar to the label on the outside of the box. 

This is a great box that any pen and paper lover would love.  I may order a few more for holiday gifts.



I won’t bother describing the notebook since almost all pen and paper lovers are familiar with the notebook.  I will, however, take this opportunity to do a follow-up review of the Moleskine pen.

I originally reviewed the fine point (.5 mm) pen in May (Moleskine Rollerball Pen Review)  and have been using the pen pretty consistently since then.  I ended up buying the  medium point (.7mm) pen because I wanted to try some of the other ink colors which are not available for the fine point version of the pen.  

My original pen has held up pretty well with the exception of a few minor issues. 

The first issue is that the black coating on the clip part of the pen has chipped off in certain places.  While I use the pen regularly, I’m not particularly hard on pens.  I’m pretty disappointed with that aspect of the pen but it does not affect its function.  I will be interested to see if I have a similar problem with chipping with the other pens.

Another issue I have with the pen relates to the spring that attaches the end cap to the ink cartridge.  Since the end cap of the pen is shaped like a corkscrew, you have to be careful that the ink cartridge and spring are properly aligned before screwing in the cap or you will end up bending the spring like I did.  I can still use the pen but the bent spring makes it a little difficult to change cartridges.

Finally, my biggest complaint about the pen is that the green, red, brown and violet ink refills are only available in the medium point.  The ink colors themselves are very nice.  The brown and violet inks are my favorites.  I would love to have blue-black and deep green versions of the ink.  If the pen sells well, I hope Moleskine will consider expanding the ink selections.

Currently, the pens and ink refills are available for purchase through the Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Papyrus and A.I. Friedman websites.  Almost all of the websites offer some type of discount on the pens and refills.  If you haven't purchased one yet, I highly recommend doing so.   Better yet, purchase the Writing Box which includes the pen.