Thursday, September 22, 2011

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.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Star Wars Limited Edition Pocket Ruled Notebook

This is a bit of a drive by post.  I was so excited when I received this at work today that I just had to take pictures and post them. 




Inside Cover




Back Cover


Mini-poster in back pocket



The paper inside is the same cream colored, ruled paper found in the typical Moleskine ruled pocket version.

I ordered this from Amazon.com for $10.17, which is 32% off the list price. 

In person, it looks better than I thought it would.  I should receive the large ruled version in a few weeks.


Sunday, August 21, 2011

OfficeMax - Friends and Family Savings Event - 8/21/2011 to 8/22/2011

Bring in these coupons for in-store savings.  Savings include 20% off supplies, ink and toner.  There's also a deal for a free Sharpie Essentials Kit with a $5 purchase.

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/home/2011/week35/OfficeMaxFriendsAndFamily.pdf?cm_re=homepage-_-Hero1-_-bts&cm_sp=homepage-_-instore-_-bts

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Muji Denim Tag Plain Notebook


This past July, I visited the Muji-to-Go store in the Jet Blue terminal at JFK airport while waiting to board my flight.  While in the store, I noticed cellophane wrapped A5 and A6 notebooks.  I had not seen them before and decided to purchase them.  Turns out, the notebooks are from Muji's new Denim Tag line. The covers are similar to the material used for their denim tag book covers, but are thinner and lighter in color.   



The paper is sort of an off-white color, made from 15% recycled materials.  Unlike Muji’s recycled paper A5 and A6 notebooks, these notebooks contain fewer sheets (80 v. 144) and the corners of the pages themselves are rounded.  The paper is very smooth and a nice weight. 

  



My ink test didn’t show any feathering on the paper but there was a bit of a shadow. 

I generally prefer lined notebooks for serious work.  I’ll probably put this in my work tote for jotting down random bits of information. 




20% off one item at Staples - Expires August 20, 2011

Just noticed a new coupon from Staples.

http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/listingimages/Retailers/Staples/event_images/175x175_060131_New_Site/110816_14273_coupon.pdf

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Various Office Supply Coupons

In addition to loving pens, paper and other general office supplies, I love coupons for pens, paper and other office supplies.  Below are a few of the coupons I've used or intend to use.



$1.00 off Pentel Energel-X Roller Pen
 http://www.pentelsweeps.com/ENERGELX_COUPON.pdf

$1.00 off Avery Note Tabs and Pocket tabs
http://www.avery.com/avery/en_US/Products/Avery-Special-Offers-Page.htm?int_id=quicklinks-offers

$1.00 off Pilot Fixion pens.  After filling in the required information, a link for printing the coupon will be sent to your e-mail address.
https://www.notjustapen.com/registrationconfirmation

$.50 off Pilot Pen
http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=PU2I2X5OELNQO

Various Target Coupons, including $1.00 Paper Mate pens
http://coupons.target.com/

Various Coupons for Post-It products
http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/coupons/70-0714-4853-7.pdf

Free Post-It Sample
http://offers.3m.com/qfrm/ShowSurvey?surveyid=JOKMDPH8

Office Max Coupons
http://images.ed4.net/images/htdocs/officemax/Images/2011_wk33/promo/instore_coupon_8911.pdf?EDID=5A1ROB-S1C90-4DEFNA-DD0GON-VA9AF-v1&cm_mmc=Email-_-promo2-_-wk33-_-Coupon