In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Marvel’s Agent Carter

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

FF-agentcarter

Marvel’s Agent Carter is a TV show tailor-made (in a fabulous 40s suit with hat and gloves to match) for me. Its a comics-based superheroine set post-WWII in an OFFICE. The dialog is good, the action is excellent and the sets and costumes are fabulous. If you aren’t watching this, its really good, you should check it out.

  • Kaweco ART Sport Fountain Pen in Rosit $81 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Field Notes State Fair Edition: New York 3-pack for $9.99 (via Jet Pens)
  • OPI Big Apple Red Nail Polish (via OPI)
  • Exacompta Club Leatherette Refillable Journal in Blue $24.50 (via Jet Pens)
  • Noodler’s Empire Red Bulletproof Ink $18.50(via Goulet Pens)
  • Noodler’s Libery’s Elysium Water Resistant Ink $12.50 (via Goulet Pens)
  • Mini MAGLITE LED 2-Cell AAA Flashlight $23.50 (via MagLite)
  • Keep Fighting 12×18 Print $20 (via Monkey Minion)
  • Palomino Blackwing Pearl Dozen for $19.95 (via Pencils.com)
  • Caran d’Ache Ecridor Chevron Silver (Rhodium plated) Fountain Pen 175€ (via Fontoplumo)
  • Swiss Army Secretary Pocket Knife $23.50 (via Swiss Army)

Follow-up: It turns out Agent Carter wears lipstick from my favorite cosmetics company, Besamé Cosmetics out of California. She wears 1946 Red Velvet ($22).

In Fountain Pen Review

Re-review: Kaweco Sport Guilloch 1935 Fountain Pen

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

Kaweco Guilloch 1935 F nib

Back in November, I saw the new Sport N Clip style clip from Kaweco and thought that it would be perfect with my well-loved Kaweco Sport Guilloch 1935 pen. I ordered the clip and, somehow, in between the time I ordered the clip and it arriving, I lost my Guilloch 1930 (see comments for explanation of naming incosistencies). I looked high and low thinking I might have left it in a pocket but after a month of searching I had to admit it was gone for good. Luckily, Fontoplumo still had the pen in stock and my darling husband worked with Frank to get me a replacement in time for Christmas.

Kaweco Guilloch 1935 F nib

What makes this pen particularly special is the geometric lines engraved into the plastic. Its a technique called guilloché that has been used for centuries to create decorative patterns into metal, wood and other materials. The way that the engraving was done on this pen is very reminiscent of art deco designs hence the “1935” name. The engraving is on the cap and on the back half of the barrel though with regular use, I wore most of the guilloché off the body of my previous pen. I was not gentle with the previous Guilloch 1930 though. It spent most of its life in my pocket or tossed in my purse so it held up well despite the abuse.

Kaweco Guilloch 1935 F nib

This one, though, I think will get a slightly nicer treatment. Maybe a nice carrying case this time?

The addition of the curved, retro clip only adds to the overall vintage look of this pen, I think.

Kaweco Guilloch 1935 F nib

Kaweco Guilloch 1935 F nib writing sample

Writing with the new Guilloch are consistent with the previous model. I got this one with the F nib rather than the EF nib because I don’t notice a huge difference between the two on the Kaweco line.

If you’ve got a soft spot for a truly vintage looking pen with all the modern conveniences of a cartridge-filler, this is a pen to add to your collection. The price is reasonable and the stocks are limited.

The Kaweco Sport Guilloch 1935 is still available through Fontoplumo for 22,95 € (about $26US).

PS: The Private Reserve Sherwood Forest ink cartridge I used was kindly sent to me by the fine folks at Lanier Pens.

In Link Love

Link Love: A Day Late and a Pen Pun Here

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

rp_link-ana11.jpgFountain Pens:

Inks:

Pens:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Penmanship:

In news

LWA Book Club

Author AnaPosted on 8 Comments

368916Did you know there is now a Letter Writer’s Alliance book club? Its true! The group is over on Goodreads and Letter Writers Aliiance members and non-members alike are welcome to join. Starting January 27, 2015 (that’s actually yesterday) we will be reading 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and there will be a discussion live over Google on Sunday, April 12, 2015. I’ve been invited to be one of the panelists, along with Donovan and Kathy that will discuss the book on Google Hangouts live on Sunday, April 12 at 3pm Central Time.

84, Charing Cross Road is a short book of real life letters between the author, a New Yorker and a London bookseller over decades. With fewer than 100 pages its a quick read and if you feel you can’t commit to it, there is a film adaptation starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins that was made in the 80s as well if you want to supplement your reading.

In between your February flurry of letter writing, pick up this book and give it a read then join us in April to discuss it.

In Fountain Pen Review

Review: Kaweco Sport in Dark Brown

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments

Kaweco Sport in Brown

I’m hard pressed to call this a review since my love for the Kaweco Sport has already been fairly well documented but, I thought I’d share with you the latest edition of the Kaweco Sport Classic in dark brown (17,95€), which is a limited edition color. So far, I think Fontoplumo is the only place that has these in stock but, fear not, they ship fast and reliably!

Kaweco Sport in Brown with Medium Nib

Like all the other standard Sport Classic pens, the dark brown edition is plastic and is available with gold hardware only but, if there was ever a color meant to be accented with gold, it would be the deep, rich, chocolate brown of this edition of the Kaweco Sport. It reminds me of a gold, foil-wrapped chocolate heart… which makes me think, this edition of the Kaweco Sport would make a great Valentine’s Day gift.

Kaweco Sport in Brown

Compared with my black Kaweco Guilooch 1935, there is a visible color difference. The Kaweco Sport in Brown is also sporting (pun!) the classic clip where the Guilloch is decked out with the new Sport N Clip. I like the utilitarion look of the Kaweco Sport Classics with the clips for the most part. They just look “dressed” like a man with a tie on.

Kaweco Sport in Brown

I’ve had mixed feelings about the Kaweco Sport medium nib but this one worked particularly well for me. It has a crisp angle that felt almost mini-stub-like.

Fountain Pen Weights

To keep with the theme of this chocolate-y pen, I filled it with a Private Reserve Chocolate cartridge (kind regards to Lanier Pens for sending it to me) and it was a very good match. I think I’ll write some Valentine’s Day cards with this combination.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Fontoplumo for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In feature

Postage Frame Stamps from Anticipate Invitations

Author AnaPosted on 5 Comments

postage frame stamps

The release of the postage frame stamps from Anticipate Invitations have been burning up the Twitter feeds of many a letter writer this week. Six frame designs are available and each is available in four sizes to accommodate the most common US postage sizes. Prices for the stamps start at $14.30 and go up to $20.46 for the largest square size. Or a set of four can be purchased for $52.38.

I would love to assemble a mixed set of four stamps to make envelopes look like a mismatched gallery wall.

In feature

February is Letter Writing Month

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

letterwritingmonth

Once again, its time for InCoWriMo (pronounced as “Ink-o-rye-mo”), International Correspondence Writing Month. The goal of the project is to write one letter, card, note, or postcard everyday for the entire month of February. Just 28 little bits of correspondence.

LetterMo2015

February is also known as LetterMo, as in A Month of Letters, a project started by author Mary Robinette Kowal several years ago but whose mantle has been taken up across the blogosphere, myself included. LetterMo gives you the leeway of not writing on Sunday since there’s no postal pick-up so the requirement to complete this challenge is just 24 pieces of written correspondence.

For me, February is my chance to get all caught up on my letter writing AND even send some new letters and cards. Are you planning to participate?

With a week to plan, be sure to stock up on some stationery, postcards, note cards, stamps and, of course, have all your favorite pens and inks at the ready. This is a great chance to use up some of that paper you have squirreled away and try out ALL those inks you’ve been hoarding.

Need something for your upcoming month of letters?

(image modified from a WPA poster from the 30s available at Free Vintage Posters)