The metallic sheen of the grasscloth wallpaper and the ashen reclaimed wood desk with the vintage mid-century brass lamp makes my heart sing.
(via The Handmade Home)
Dreaming of a better writing desk
I’m off to write some letters and holiday cards this afternoon. Envision me like this and not the reality which is mismatched pajamas and piles of papers strewn everywhere, not to mention the view out my window is grey and leafless. I’ll try to write as if I was the dreamy Catherine Moorland of Northanger Abbey and not a twenty-first century girl living in the midwest. Dream your own big dreams today!
(image from Northanger Abbey via Le Projet D’Amour)
Winner: Holiday Gift Guide Gift Certificate
Thanks to everyone who left comments and wish lists for The Pen Addict Gift Guide Rebuttal and thanks to Brad and Myke for not being too annoyed with me.
It appears that the TWSBI Minis and Pilot Hi-Tec C Coletos are very popular items this year. Rhodia pads are also popular as are Field Notes and Uni-Ball Style Fit multi-pens are getting some love too. Inks from all the major manufacturers also got shout-outs and the Retro 51 is getting love too.
If I had won the big Lotto jackpot, I would have bought all the items on the wish lists but I didn’t so we must rely on the generosity of JetPens to provide one $25 gift certificate to the winner of the drawing.
And the winner is:
Congrats, Kristina! I hope that graduate school and Christmas are both clear sailing for you!
Update: Dr. Ion and the Well-Appointed Traveler
I was just doing a little holiday research (because who doesn’t want something from JetPens at the holidays) and stumbled across a most-coveted item. The Kutsuwa Dr. Ion Super Mega Pencil Case ($36) is now available at JetPens. I first saw the Dr. Ion case in action over on Felt & Wire where Jennie Hinchcliff of Red Letter Day kindly showed off what her travelling letter-writing kit included and have been lusting after one ever since. Now, JetPens is stocking not only the epically-sized Super Mega Pencil Case but also the slightly more demure Mega Pencil Case ($22.50). I wasn’t planning on adding a new item to my wishlist, but really… can you blame me?
Decorate your workspace for the holidays
If you work in an office, is there any way to add a little holiday cheer to your space without just stringing some fairy lights over the cubicle walls? Pro Digial Photos added some holiday panache to their workspace that is both festive AND tasteful.
I thought maybe these photos might give you some ideas. I know they gave me a couple. The key to decorating the workspace for the holidays is to be understated but festive. Nothing that distracts or inhibits work or will take too much time or effort to put up or take down. Best of luck and I hope you are getting into the spirit of the holidays too!
Video: The Twenty-Six Old Characters
“The Twenty-Six Old Characters” created in 1947 by the Shaeffer Pen Co. Its about 20 minute long and a little quaint but seeing pens and tools in action is a bit of a thrill. This video is from the Library of Congress Prelinger Archive and has been cleaned up and trimmed slightly. Its great that these films are being preserved. Enjoy!
Paperclips
