More and more I’m hearing people talk about finding new and less phone-based ways to entertain and educate themselves. People are employing House Totes or Analog Bags with gadgets, books, notebooks and hobbies to help encourage themselves away from mindless scrolling. While I have been employing what I call a “house purse” for sometime now, its more a means of moving my analog tools from one part of my house (home office, kitchen, couch, etc) to the other. While it does contain tools I use instead of my phone, the habit grew out of having a bunch of notebooks, pens and such that I use on a daily basis rather than a way to convince myself to not be on my phone. That said, I actually like seeing people embracing non-phone-based tech (digital cameras, DAPs or iPods, handheld games, etc) AND analog entertainment like books, puzzles, craft projects and the like. Do you have a house tote, analog bag or other method to keep yourself from doomscrolling?
Pens:
- Daiso Navy and Red Fountain Pens (via Inkcredible Colours)
- The Best Retro Pens (via JetPens)
- Review: Pilot Juice Gel Pen (via Inky Imaginings)
Ink:
- Ink Review #2901: Colorverse No. 012 a Ori (via Mountain of Ink)
- Ink of the Week: Ferris Wheel Press Embers of Time (via Dime Novel Raven)
Notebooks & Paper:
- House Totes for Notebooks and Pens (via Notebook Stories)
- Keeping a Notebook vs. Keeping a Diary (via Notebook Stories)
- A Small Planner Reset You Can Do in 5 Minutes [Free Download] (via Planner Fun)
- Are you a collector? (via Philofaxy)
- The 7 Main Components of My Planning System (via Planner Fun)
Art & Creativity:
- Current Sketchbook Formats (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
- Five Minute Sketches (via Apple-Pine)
- Don’t Call it Art (via Austin Kleon)
- Falling for the Sophie Scarf — Again! (via LoopKnitlounge)
Other Interesting Things:
- Doomscrolling Prevention Progress Report (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
- California Pen Show 2026 and the things I ate (via The Penguin Post)
- Review: Bigme B6 BW e-ink reader (via Parka Blogs)
- Pokémon turns 30! Explore the archives of original artworks that defined our childhoods (via It’s Nice That)
- Are brand collaborations reaching a saturation point? What ‘Wuthering Heights’ reveals (via Creative Boom)
- A list of all the media (movies, books, TV shows, plays, etc… (via Kottke.org)
- Cosmic Wonders Coming to a Post Office Near You (via USPS Newsroom)
- Postal Service Celebrates Bruce Lee (via USPS Newsroom)
- Essential Manga Art Supplies: Best Pens, Paper & Tools for Beginners (via The Pen Company)
- The Someday Society ‘Zine – Philly Pen Show Edition (via The Pen Addict)
- Esterbrook The Travel Journal Workshop Set Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Review – The Portrait (via Rachel’s Reflections)
- On the Paper Trail Episode 4: Recapping the 2026 California Pen Show! (via The Gentleman Stationer)
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I don’t have a house tote, but you would not believe what my end of the couch looks like… or you probably would!
I bought a customized tote from Rather Green. Then I bought my DIL one since she works from home a lot and is currently juggling 3 planners.
They are sustainable products in 3 sizes that are customizable in seemingly endless combinations. Colors, inside pockets, outside pockets, handles, snaps, etc