Friday, May 31, 2013

Whiskers & Paws: May 2013 Edition

Ellie & Peaches & Tyco 
& Koa
Enjoying the open shutters. This is an older picture though, before things started turning green. I thought it was cute though, so I wanted to throw it in!
Ellie
I often wake up to this face, either sharing my pillow or crammed right up against me or on my arm.
Ellie Napping
She takes up a lot of space.
Tyco Regal?
I like to get down on Tyco's level. It's so interesting to see things from his point of view.
Tyco
Peaches
What's up there?
Peaches
I'll eat it!
Koa
Whatcha doin?
Koa
This is my better side.
Peaches
Falling asleep.
Ellie & Peaches Napping
Little girls napping together. They look normal sized when they're sleeping together but they're both quite tiny.
Peaches Not Happy
Hahahaha not the face of a happy cat. PUT ME DOWN

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Review: Tombow Interlocking Wooden Pencil Caps - Pink @JetPens

I first saw the Tombow Interlocking Wooden Pencil Caps on Gentian's blog! They were so cute and I was so curious about them that I had to order some. Especially because I HATE keeping pencils in my pencil case unprotected because they soil the inside of my adorable pencil cases!
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps On Side
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps
These are little plastic caps that fit most standard pencils. They slide on easily (and slide off easily) but won't fall off your pencils - unless you have tiny pencils. I like to use them to cover the lead of my sharpened pencils. There are little notches around the sides that you can slide together. It's a lot like LEGOs!
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps Standing Up
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps Standing
These are great for organizing your pencil case, or your desk, and for protecting your pencil leads and the insides of your pencil cases from said lead! Plus it makes your pencils easier to tote. Just grab the bunch and you're good to go.
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps Connected
Also very enjoyable is that you can buy a bajillion of these and make a monster cube!!! Or... a tiny cube. I have fantasies that they will make more colors too... *drool*
Tombow Ippow Interlocking
More Ippo!
Drawing With a Squirrel
Lung Sketching Scrolls

Price
JetPens - $1.65

Overall
If you use pencils, this is a no-brainer. For $1.65, you can't go wrong with the Tombow Interlocking Wooden Pencil Caps. They're cheap, cute, super easy to use, helpful and practical, and are a great item to get you to the $25 free shipping at JetPens. I love them!

FYI it totally looks like I copied this picture but I seriously did not, cross my heart. We apparently just have great minds that think alike!
Tombow Ippo Interlocking Caps Angled 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Stationery Sale at Pens, Pencils, and Protein Powder

UPDATE: She's all sold out for now! Thanks for browsing folks :)

Hey readers! Fellow stationery blogger Mayra, at Pens, Pencils, and Protein Powder, is having a sale to declutter the hoard! What is this concept? ... Well, I'm not entirely sure... but if you are interested in browsing some new, unused, and some hard to find items, check out Pens, Pencils, and Protein Powder! Perhaps help fund Mayra's education a little :)

Even if you aren't looking to purchase anything, perhaps you could share the link and help spread the word? Pretty please with an eraser on top?

Wordless Wednesday

Angel Cuddles Stuffed Manatee

Giveaway at Write To Me Often

Zeynep at Write To Me Often is giving away a Pilot Petit1 fountain pen in blue-black! Entries accepted until Friday. Click here for details.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Giveaway at JStationery

Check out JStationery's page to enter to win a 12-color set of Pilot Juice gel ink pens! There are two ways to enter so make sure you read the page carefully and don't miss out! Click here for the details.

Review: Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink

This 2005 Montblanc Love Letter fountain pen ink was generously sent to me by Steven! This is the 2005 original release. Thank you so much Steven. I am honored and so excited to get to review this ink! Also, I love to sniff things and often the first thing I do when I get an ink is sniff it. How perfect, since this is scented... 
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink
Image provided by Steven.
ABOUT
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Swabs
Color: Red
Where to buy: This is not a current inventory ink so you will have to hunt around to find some, and prices will vary!
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples Back of Page
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples
Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples
PROS
  • Gorgeous red, aptly described by "love letter".
  • Smells like liquid roses.
  • Dries fast.
  • Shades nicely, especially in broad nibs.
  • Well-behaved.
  • Smell remains while ink is wet and will remain on the page for awhile.
    Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples
     CONS
    • Not water-resistant.
    OVERALL

    Is there anything more romantic than an ink called Love Letter that smells like rose oil? Not disgusting, artificial roses, but actual roses? It's beautiful. It's a beautiful red that is a joy to write with and is a treat for the senses. I only wish it were water resistant and that the scent of roses would last longer. Nevertheless, it's absolutely delightful. I hope Montblanc releases this ink again. I would buy it in a heartbeat. (Get it? Heartbeat?)

    Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink 
    Montblanc Je T'aime Love Letter Ink Writing Samples Comparisons 

    Monday, May 27, 2013

    EDC: Non Fountain Pen

    No mailbox goodies today folks! (This hiatus is boring as heck.) Instead, I will show you my purse pencil case!

    I like to keep pens on me. ... I guess that was an obvious statement. Sometimes I don't carry a fountain pen if I know my bag will be squished or tossed around a lot. Here's the wee pencil case that stays in my purse.

    Kaweco Sketch Up Acrylic 5.6mm Pencil
    Pilot Hi-Tec-C (in 0.4mm and 0.5mm), including one in a Render-K
    Retro51 Natural Bamboo Tornado Pen + Retro51 ballpoint Refill
    Uni-ball Jetstream Alpha Grip

    EDC, Non Fountain Pen

    Sunday, May 26, 2013

    Sunday Reads - May 26. 2013

    Long BFC is Long
    Image by. Mr. Guilt.

    Saturday, May 25, 2013

    Modern Pen Line Up

    Back when I was preparing my pens for the FPGeeks Daily Carry, I took many pictures, and here's one that I particularly liked and decided to save for a future date.

    The line up, from back to front, is as follows:

    Pelikan M1005 clear demonstrator + fine nib
    TWSBI Diamond 540 + 1.1mm stub nib
    TWSBI Diamond 540 + extra-fine nib
    Graf Von Faber-Castell Anello Titanium + medium nib
    Lamy Studio + fine nib
    Pilot/Namiki Vanishing Point (Raden, of course) + medium nib

    Modern Pen Line Up

    Friday, May 24, 2013

    Sparkles and Stamps

    I have been going through my junk boxes and trying to reorganize things because at some point, I threw everything into boxes so they weren't visible. But now I know they're in there, messy. In the process of taking everything out, I thought I would share with you my collection of sparkles and stamps! It's pretty modest (I think)... at least compared to some collections I've seen belonging to others!
    Rubber Stamps
    Yes,  I have two paw prints. Because I'm paranoid and was worried about only having one of that particular paw print. So now I have two.
    I've only used the sparkles a few times to decorate cards. I'm not entirely sure how to use them actually. Do you use sparkles? How do you make use of them? There's also some beads in the upper corner there that I have no clue how to use. (Of course, you may be wondering, why the heck did you buy all of these if you have no idea how to use them? Why indeed.)
    Martha Stewart Sparkles

    Thursday, May 23, 2013

    Review: Bags of Love A5 Custom Notebook - Blank

    You may have seen reviews at From The Pen Cup and No Pen Intended of custom notebooks from Bags of Love. Here I am with a review of this nifty notebook - with the same insides but totally different covers. Thank you to Claire at Bags of Love for making this review possible!
     Bags of Love A5 Notebook
    ABOUT

    Size: A5
    Color: Ivory-Cream
    Ruling: Blank
    Sheet Count: 75
    Price: $22.95 (current promo: buy 2, get 1 free)
    Where to buy: Bags of Love

    APPEARANCE

    The Bags of Love notebook I selected was the A5 size. The process to select and place your pictures is very easy and everything is done through the Bags of Love website. The notebook has softback covers that feature glossy images of your choice. The notebook is bound like a paperback. Inside, the pages are surprisingly thick and heavy. They're ivory-cream in color - not very cream but not more ivory than just off-white.

    On the front, I placed a picture of a TWSBI Diamond 580 fountain pen (inked with Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku, if you must know!), on a white background. I selected this because I wanted to see what kind of contrast could be printed. It's quite decent - lines are distinct and there is a good gradient of color.
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook
    On the back, I placed a picture of a Midori Traveler's Notebook STAR edition close up, sitting on top a Midori Traveler's Notebook in brown. I selected this picture to see what kind of detail could be printed close up and I am happy to see it printed well.
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook
    PERFORMANCE & FEEL

    The notebook feels nice in hand - I LOVE the feeling of paperbacks in hand and this notebook looks and feels like a paperback book. The concern with this is the spine breaks pretty easily, especially when you're writing in it and getting into the middle of the book and have to break the spine to get to the inside of the pages. The second page of the notebook has split from the binding ever so slightly. It's still held in place by the other pages. That being said, I have been quite rough with the notebook in an attempt to push it to its limit. I think with typical/normal use, most users would be fine. 

    Let's get to this great paper! I am thrilled to report to you that this paper is pretty fantastic. It handles pencils, ballpoints, and gel pens like a pro.
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook Writing Sample
    Even better? It takes fountain pen ink like a pro as well. Writing on this paper with fountain pens is a nice experience - it offers a little bit of feedback which I like with certain pens. There is minimal show through, no bleed through, and no feathering, even with wet pens. Drying time is fast because there is no coating on the paper.
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook Writing Sample
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook Writing Sample Back of Page
    That blob of pink up top there is smearing from another page.
    PROS
    • Customizable with your own pictures!
    • Available in A5 and A6 sizes.
    • Good quality printing of photos on covers. 
    • Thick, glossy covers.
    • Fountain pen friendly paper.
    Bags of Love A5 Notebook Writing Sample
    CONS  
    • Only available in blank. 
    • Only available with ivory-cream colored paper.
    • Spine will break and wear like a paperback book does.
    • Once you bend the cover back, it doesn't want to stay flat ever again. (Just like a paperback.)
    OVERALL 

    Often, novelty-type notebooks are so-so quality with sub par paper in them. This is not the case with the Bags of Love customizable notebook! They are pretty awesome notebooks with good quality paper that would make pretty awesome gifts for folks in your life since you can make them very personal!

    Bags of Love provided this notebook to me free of charge to review. I was not compensated monetarily for this review. All opinions here are my own. 

    Wednesday, May 22, 2013

    Wordless Wednesday

    Tyco in Tissue Paper Scarf

    Tuesday, May 21, 2013

    Review: Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo

    Don't we all need pocket notebooks for... well... our pockets? Or purses, or bags, or totes, or just to have on us in whatever you carry? I can't go anywhere without a pocket notebook. If I don't have one with me, I feel naked. I currently use Field Notes because they're cute and fun, and now I get to give these Word. notebooks a spin! Thank you Brenda from Word. Notebooks for sending these for me to review.

    ABOUT

    Size: 3.5" x 5"
    Color: White
    Ruling: Lined
    Sheet Count: 48
    Price: $9.99USD
    Where to buy: Word

    APPEARANCE
    Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo
    These Word. notebooks are in the Swedish Camo pattern. They are traditional pocket notebook sized - not big, not too small - with clean, rounded corners on the outer edges. The spine is staple bound neatly. The cover has "Word." printed on it in a little white circle, amidst the pattern.  Inside, the pages are white, with really nice, easy on the eyes lines that are visible enough to serve their purpose. There are strange circles along the inside of the margins, and a little guide on how to use these on the inside of the front cover.
    Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo Blank
    PERFORMANCE & FEEL

    When you glance at these notebooks, surely you think of Field Notes. They share the same size and general function. The whole notebook feels sturdy and after bending it around and shoving it into my pocket and bag, it's held up well. The edges got a little wrinkly but it hasn't fallen apart - the staples have held and no pages have torn off.

    The paper is neither overly smooth nor is it textured. It does not have a glossy coating on it. The paper in these pocket notebooks is quite similar to other pocket notebooks I am familiar with (such as Field Notes). It tolerates gel pens, pencils, ballpoints, and fine roller ball pens well. There is no bleed through or show through with these pens. I suspected it wouldn't work so well with fountain pens and I was right. Even fine nibs bled through the page and there is a lot of show through, as well as feathering with wetter writing.
    Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo Writing Sample
    Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo Writing Sample
    The unique bullet point system used in Word. notebooks is explained on their product page.
    ...Lets you organize your tasks efficiently. Simply fill in the bullet point when writing an item on that line. Trace the circle around it when it’s important and add a slash when you’ve started work on it. Once the task is complete, simply mark down an “X” and move on to the next item on your list. It’s an easy way to keep track of all your notes. 
    I very much like the unique bullet point system - it takes some getting used to but once you remember the symbols, it certainly helps to keep your pocket notebook tidy. (You should see my other ones... they're a disaster by the time they're full). The little circles are fun for color coordinating as well - color them in to indicate the importance or relevance of your task!
    Word Lined Notebooks - Swedish Camo In a Pile
    Top to bottom: Field Notes memo book, Word. notebook, Rhodiarama notebook, Quo Vadis habana.
    PROS
    • Made in the USA.
    • Cover is 100% post-consumer recycled materials. 
    • Both cover and interior paper is acid-free.
    • Unique bullet point system used in Word. notebooks.
    CONS  
    • Not fountain pen friendly. (Though they do not claim to be.)
    OVERALL 

    The Word. Notebooks are a cute, quaint pocket notebook - priced comparable to its competitors, and sharing similar qualities to them (made in the USA, acid-free paper). They have a variety of different covers to choose from. As for its ability to tolerate fountain pens, honestly, when I have a pocket notebook in my pocket, I am not using a fountain pen with it (a fountain pen couldn't actually fit in my pocket!). I'm using a gel pen, Fisher Space pen, or pencil with it. Of course this means some people will have no interest in it and that's totally fine. I think it's a fun option for those who are looking for a pocket notebook, so if fountain pen friendly paper is not a requirement, I do recommend you give Word. notebooks a whirl!

    Follow Word.
    Facebook
    Twitter

    I was provided these notebooks free of charge to sample, play with, get accustomed to, and review. I was not compensated monetarily to write this review. All opinions are my own. 

    Monday, May 20, 2013

    Mailbox Goodies: Prize and Parcel

    This week, I received two boxes - one was a prize and the other was a parcel! The parcel was from Pentel of America and included a whole set of their Recycology products. Thanks Pentel!
    Pentel Recycology Goodies
    The prize was from Kenro and included a Sheaffer VFM fountain pen and a bottle of Sheaffer Skrip ink. Thank you Kenro!
    Kenro Prize Pack
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