A new iPad and the hunt for accessories

So, in preparation for a big trip, I fell off the bandwagon (again) and bought a new iPad. Yeah, one of those newfangled iPads with the Retina display. This purchase was not made without some trepidation; I had owned one previously and found it too devoted to games and content-consumption and not enough about making, editing, and reviewing content, not to mention iPads are not inexpensive. That said, when I compared the other options available at the moment that would let me watch movies and tv, read books and magazines, and on occasion check my email, twitter or web, there weren’t many options: the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet/Color were about the only other candidates in the running. I KNOW there are other options but as a fairly devoted Apple-user I was not quite ready to go down a fully-Android path.

So, now we come to the crux of my issues. I need a good cover/case for my new gadget as well as a good bag to trek across the globe with.

So far, I’ve been debating upon just getting one of Apple’s stock magnetic Smart Covers as I’ve not seen much in the way of small, reasonably-priced protective covers for the new iPad.

As for other goodies, I did stumble upon the Moop Messenger No.4 for iPad. While slightly out of my price range at $185, it looks lovely. I’m intrigued by the names of their other models as well, including The Letter Bag and The Letter Clutch.

Any suggestions for accessories, apps, cases or bags for our fine readers? Leave them in the comments! Thanks!

AutoPoint TwinPoint Mechanical Pencil

Autopoint Red/Blue 0.9mm

Thanks to a tip from Carolee at Good Mail Day, I am now the proud owner of not just a red/blue pencil but a mechanical red/blue pencil. I purchased the Autopoint TwinPoint from PencilThings and was able to choose from an assortment of configurations for this classic looking mechanical pencil. There were several lead sizes to choose from 0.5mm to 1.1mm as well as options in body color (black or cream) and lead colors: red/black, red/blue, red/green.

I purchased the 0.9mm, black body with red/blue, of course. The pencil feels very solid and well-made. The design reminds me of something my Dad had when I was a kid so I am enamored with the looks. The leads are advanced by twisting and there is no wobble in the leads — they are held firmly in place.

Autopoint in action

The blue looks like a fairly good non-repro shade though I haven’t tested it yet. I found the red to be a bit pinky in color. I wish the red was a bit more of a clear fire-engine red. I still need to test the erasability of the lead colors as well so I’ll definitely have a follow-up on this pencil.

Overall for the price, the quality cannot be beat. I am seriously considering investing in another variety — maybe the thicker 1.1mm leads?

The pen comes with one package of leads in each color selected for $8.49. Additional leads are available for $1.70-$1.80 per pack of 12.

Link Love

After a week full of various technical difficulties including my WordPress Template eating itself and my Twitter account getting hacked, I’m ready for a little levity. So here’s a few links I collected this week that will hopefully make you happy too.


This mail love cartoon was found on Fountain Pen Geeks and was created by Poofytoo.

Speaking of fountain pens, have you ever heard of Diplomat fountain pens? If not, check out this overview from the Australian online stationery shop Notetaker on their blog called The Field Notes (not to be confused with the brand of pocket notebooks called Field Notes).

Tonya Stabb created this cleaver wall unit to hold and display her colored pencils.

If you haven’t discover the blog, Letters of Note, I recommend that you start with this post: I Like Words. (tip from Exaclair)

Nation State is another great online shop from Australia for, as they describe it, notebooks, pens and pencils and other stuff like this Scrabble dish towel for $17.95.

Derrick at Writing Wrong Handed got this great stash of notebooks from Jet Pens last week. Hopefully he’ll have reviews soon.

Need more links? Why not check out the list of links that Tiger Pens pulled together last week?

The Everyday Carry (EDC)

The everyday carry (EDC) is a topic frequently discussed among pen and pencil afficiandos. We all have little gems and jewels that we love to have and keep but we are often asked, “But which ones do you use everyday?”  Stationery Traffic recently answered this question by showing the contents of his Maxpedition EDC Pocket Organizer filled with his daily tools.

This is my EDC photo from December. The contents have not changed dramatically, maybe the color of the LePens and I’ve got two Kawecos now instead of the Lamy.

What is your favorite EDC?

(via Stationery Traffic)

Linea Carta Calligraphy Starter Kit

Linea Carta offers ways to make calligraphy within your grasp with the beautiful calligraphy starter kit. The kit includes a beautiful screenprinted lettering chart, flexible nib dip pen, ink and instructions. $35

Other options available are purchasing just the lettering print or purchasing her set of calligraphic caps rubber stamps.

(via Magic Is As Magic Does)

Exacompta Basic Pocket Portfolio

Rhodia Drive published an overview of the Exacompta Basic Pocket Portfolio. It is available in two sizes, 4.75×6.25″ and 9.5″x12.5″, the smaller size is shown above, and it looks like a thin and thick version and each size is available in craft, black, red and green. These little portfolios would be great to organize paper ephemera like tickets, receipts and stamps while the larger would be great for carrying documents to and from the office.

Now if I could just locate an online retailer who was selling these, I’d be a very happy camper.

(photo and content via Rhodia Drive with a hat tip to the Office Supply Geek)