Isn’t it about time to start some Top Ten posts? I’ll start with the ten most-popular posts on The Well-Appointed Desk this year. If you missed them the first time, you can check them out today!
Link Love: Snow Day Edition
Pens and Pencils
- Fountain Pen Basics (via Pentrace)
- Monteverde Prima & Field Notes Traveling Salesman Review (via From The Pen Cup)
- Platinum Preppy Eyedropper Conversion (via Missive Maven)
- Pentel Libretto Pen and Pencil Set (via Economy Pens)
- Pentel Pulaman Disposable “Fountain” Pen (via A Penchant For Paper)
- A.S. Manhattaner’s “Kitty In the City” Fountain Pen Re-Review, similar to a Sailor Clear Candy Fountain Pen (via From The Pen Cup)
Paper and Notebooks
- 2013 Calendar Round-Up (via Oh, Hello Friend)
- Palomino Luxury Notebook Review (via Inktronics)
- Field Notes Expedition Edition Smearing Issues: be sure to read the comments (via Pencil Revolution)
Digital: Apps for iOS
- Evernote Hello App (via iTunes Store)
- Mailroom App (via Cafe Cartolina Blog)
- Paper App’s Awesome Color Mixing (via Fast Company)
- Adobe Ideas App (via Adobe)
Other News:
- Is Handwriting Worth Saving (via Rhodia Drive)
Five Reasons to Use a Typewriter
According to the BBC, there are five reasons to still use a typewriter.
- Refuseniks: AKA Luddites
- To Be Cool
- No Electricity
- Aesthetics: making art with typewriters or matching the look of a specific time period
- Weddings: Huh?
If you have a typewriter, why do you use it?
(article via BBC, photos by me!)
Eva Black’s Workspace
I love that this is a REAL workspace. It looks like two IKEA tabletops with simple cylinder legs moved into an L-shape formation and turned to face into the room taking advantage of the light from the window as well as not feeling like you’re staring at the wall all day. She used old glass jars to hold pens, pencils and other tidbits.
The chair does not look like the most comfortable or ergonomic but it also looks like Eva used what she had available. A pretty space on a real budget. Pretty darned cool.
(via Eva Black Designs, shout out to Kathy Z. for the tip!)
Meh.
I’ve had one of those days that makes this new calendar product just about the most perfect thing to share with you today. Its the Mehffirmations 365-day tearaway calendar. Everyday, you get a snarky or slightly demotivating statement. I can think of a few friends who would appreciate this. And for a mere $14.99, I might invest in a couple of them.
PS: Apologies for no posts earlier today but the ogres of the offices put the screws to me today. I promise to double-up today!
Ladylike Interview Tips
Lauren Conrad collected some great tips on interviewing like a pro. Some of the tips are specifically lady-related (hair out of your face) but many tips can apply to men as well (like not tweeting post-interview and writing a thank you note).
I love her tips but I didn’t think the image Lauren used represented the proper look for an interview. The skirt and sweater combo was perfect but the messy hair and the sandals were not appropriate for an interview. She needed that ‘do tied into a sleek low ponytail and flats or modest heels. So says me. I say, ladies, find your inner Grace Kelly prior to a big meeting or interview and save the sandals and loose ‘do for casual Fridays.
(via Lauren Conrad)
Jolly and Bright
Need a bright stocking stuffer for a younger relative or just something to brighten up your office through the grey days of winter? These inexpensive, color composition notebooks from Office Depot are just $2.99 each. Get a whole stack and feel fine handing one to a co-worker who forgot to bring paper to a meeting. I suspect this is cheap notebook paper best used with pencil or a rollerball or gel pen but for $2.99, I’m willing to leave my fountain pens aside for the day.
Pair those notebooks with a set of colorful Jonathan Adler pencils from See Jane Work. The set of 10 pencils is an array of colorful patterns is just $10 and comes in a tube. These may not be the best quality graphite but they will certainly put a smile on your face and a little color in that beige cubicle.
(Thanks to Shelley over on Pinterest for picking these out!)