Petra’s Favorite Stationary
Did you know I had a blog, because shit, I didn’t. Well I mean I did, but the last post on here was when Love on the Korlyan Moon was still a serial on patreon.
Needless to say, it’s been a minute.
I’ve decided to take this blog in a different, more active, direction. While I keep most of my writing craft and behind the scenes content over on Patreon, I still have other facets of my life that I enjoy sharing.
As summer winds down, only two thoughts consume me—
Spooky season, and school supplies.
I’m aware that I’m no influencer—but also understand that I have an audience of readers, who are often users of said supplies in their journals and reading logs.
And me, personally, I’m incredibly picky on what supplies I use in what I like to call my brain dump notebooks.
My ADHD is far too rampant to keep up the pretense that I’m going to be a type A bullet journaller. I’ve found that I want to write and noodle around with pen and paper when there’s not expectations on how often and what order I plan on doing things.
So if you’re interested in what tools facilitate this for me, why not stick around and read the rest of the post?
If there’s an asterisks next to a link, please know that it’s an affiliate link and I may receive a small commission should you purchase from that link.
Notesbooks
When I first started publishing I tried to force myself into a routine that I saw on social media and laid the notebook out so that there wasn’t any room for improvisation. For me, a total fuck up.
And now have a giant bullet journal only half full of musing from when bubble babes one was released. Like hundreds of pages that feel daunting to try and finish now.
Even though I still go through phases with notebooks, I personally tend to prefer smaller, thinner, options. Being able to “complete” a notebook makes me feel like I’ve done a good job somehow, as if the notebook cares that I haven’t abandoned it.
I should probably bring this up with my therapist, but c’est la vie, baby!
My current notebook fixation is the Campus S5, as someone who isn’t traveling quite as much as she used to (Toddlers, am I right?).
It’s 40 pages feel small enough to not be overwhelming and the paper quality is strong and incredibly smooth with limited bleed through. Really I’ve only had issues with Sharpie markers showing through the previous page.
The grid is perfect for me as it allows me flexibility that a ruled page might not allow.
I tend to do my broad planning in a web style like below towards the front of the book, and then it’s anything goes as each project gets whatever pages it needs.
ohh, see that? Lots of secrets!
One of the best things about these little notebooks is that they’re pretty cheap for something with paper this nice. You can snag a five pack for under $15 over on amazon here.*
Speaking of how my notebooks look, I need y’all to know that inside me there are two wolves.
One of those wolves has the best intentions and loves to be somewhat visually appealing in their plotting attempts. (also this is me admitting that I’m truly a plotter and that I’ve outgrown pantsing my plots).
Spoilers below for Love on the Korlyan Moon for those of you who don’t like that kind of thing.
And yes, my handwriting is messy and bad, but don’t worry…because the other wolf inside me is just as messy, but at least it’s cursive. This wolf plots with stream of consciousness, just filling pages with fountain pen scribbles.
Slight spoilers for bubble babes 4 below.
But Petra, you may be thinking, that’s not the notebook you’ve just recommended. And you’re right, it’s the notebook I don’t. But if it looks like your thing, you can also snag one on amazon here.*
My other notebook recommendation, and what I use when I’m traveling, is unironically called a traveler’s notebook. It’s a whole system, and I’ve even made notebooks to fit into my bright orange cover. I mostly use it as a travel scrapbook at this point, but I can do a whole post on that if there’s enough interest. The notebooks I use for writing that fit into this system are here on amazon. *
Fair warning that traveler’s notebooks get expensive, addictive, and have a GIANT social media presence that will only fuel your consumerism.
And lastly, I do keep a very pocket sized notebook next to my bed and in my purse. It’s what I like to call my book idea notebook. It’s literally that, if I ever have an idea on what I’d like to write, I try and shove it in this book. Sure, I could throw it in my notes app, but I’ve got like over six thousand notes in there, and it’s not a system I’m likely to see an idea again in.
This notebook is from Archer and Olive, and unfortunately no longer available. I’ve linked something just as cute that you can snag from their website here. This is their PS size, or pocket size notebook. Normally I don’t love a hardbound notebook, and I much prefer a floppier soft cover. In this case though, it makes my ideas feel more important and feeds my big aquarian ego. I can’t show you all too many of my secrets, but just know in addition to written inspiration, I often print out things that also inspire me and stick them in here.
Agendas
I love the idea of an agenda, more so than the actuality of one. After years of buying a new dated planner each January that eventually is relegated to a desk drawer after a few weeks of use, I’ve come to accept my unreliable nature. I think a dated planner falls under the same pitfall as notebook with too many pages.
My brain needs something a little less structured.
Enter the undated planner.
I no longer need to feel bad that I’ve wasted an agenda by not actually using it. I’ve set a personal rule that I’m not allowed to purchase a new agenda until my previous undated one is full.
Dear reader, it’s been two years since I’ve purchased one.
I don’t use this admittedly as much as I do my phone calendar that syncs with my family, but I have found there is a very specific time that I do enjoy using it—deadline crunches.
When I’ve got two weeks to finish a novel, or need to get a group project sorted out, is when a written agenda comes in clutch for me. I also enjoy a pocket size option.
I have the completist weekly undated planner in the a6 pocket size, you can find it at their website here.
Writing Utensils
Let me preface by saying that I have pretty strong opinions on pens and pencils. It seems like a weird hill to die on, but I will.
I’m going to start by saying I hate mechanical pencils—I know, so many people love them. I don’t have a super good reason beyond the fact that I like the way a regular wood pencil can be softer in its application if I so choose?
I really enjoy the combo of a Mirado Black Warrior 2 HB pencil and Dux Sharpener. The pencils are hard to find online (here are some on eBay), but I’ve found that most stationary stores carry them. They’re a bit darker than you’d expect a 2hb pencil to be, but I like the feel. I will say the eraser isn’t the best, so I used a retractable eraser instead. The one I use is here on amazon. *
I don’t even try and mess with smaller sharpners, or sharpeners that don’t collect pencil shavings. This Dux sharpener gets pencils extra pointy and keeps my bag clean because the top has to screw off, not pop off. You can grab one at Archer Paper’s website here.
Uniball Zento .7mm Gel Pen
I usually have one of these on me at all times. It’s the perfect pen for me for most uses, and the fact that it clicks shut makes it really good to just throw wherever and not worry about leaks.
The writing is smooth, and a perfect match for the campus notebook. I also find the silicone texture easy to hold.
You can also find these almost everywhere, including here on amazon. *
And now for what I think is my favorite writing utensil, even if it’s not perfect for every use case. I fucking adore the Kaweco Sport Fountain Pens. *
image from https://www.grapheme-seattle.com
I like the sport, because their plastic cases are light to hold, and fun to look at. It’s also the most price friendly Kaweco pen—though I do have a brass sport I use with my traveler’s notebook. *
The medium nib is my preference, it’s a little chunky, but not so bold that my messy handwriting would blur together too badly. Kaweco also has a ton of different inks options. * They use a cartridge which is much less messy than having to manually fill a pen from a bottle.
I find myself using the fountain pens whenever I’m writing stream of consciousness style. There’s something about messy cursive and a chunky fountain pen that scratches some part of my brain like nothing else.
The Kaweco Sport has so many different versions, including special editions that cost an arm and a leg, but I find that most stationary stores carry a good spread of budget friendly prices to investment pen ones.
Papermate Flair Felt Tip Pens in Medium
I affectionately have always called these “teacher pens” because it seems to be the grading utensil of choice.
Honestly I get it. They’re bold, don’t bleed much, and come in a wide variety of colors for cheap. *
I tend to use these for headings and signing copies of books. I know, most authors love a sharpie, but sometimes I feel like they’re just too chunky. When I’m doing web planning I usually use these for the center heading and then the zentos for everything else.
Zebra Pen Midliner Creative Marker
Highlighter, marker, whatever you want to call them—these midliners are great!
They have a dual tip for fine versus broad and come in a wide variety of colors.
They also aren’t too expensive and available almost everywhere.*
I use these mostly to highlight or accent in my notebook, but in a pinch I’ve used the fine tip side to scribble down something when I’ve got a midliner floating around my bag but no pen.
I also want to give a shout out to the Writech gel pen in the .8 size.* I have a gold, silver, and white in my pen bag and they’re very helpful when it comes to making notes on a darker surface.
And above, examples of all my go to writing utensils, messy penmanship and all.
Pencil Bag
I guess I really just have one more thing to share with you, and that’s where I put the majority of these items, save for my larger campus notebook.
I’ve had this Delfonics carrying case* for about three years, and even though I've put it through hell it’s still mostly holding strong. I even have a strap so I can wear it like a crossbody purse if I choose.
It’s actually also a very important part of my traveller’s notebook setup, and large enough to hold my entire notebook, cutting and glue implements, mini photo and sticker printer and all the pens and other supplies I end up needing.
I like most of all that I can just keep my most used items in one case, and can easily throw it in another bag if I want to plan or document on the go.
the medium size is super popular among journallers, and for good reason. It’s got a slot for everything without being overkill.
Well reader, I think that’s it. Those are my go tos!
What about you? Is there any stationary or school supplies that you are ride or die for? Let me know in the comments below! I’m always trying to find new goodies to pick up.
