It is here! The long awaited National Stationery Week has landed and with it a whole host of stationery related fun and more. Read more about what it’s all about, how to find out more and why writing matters (this year’s theme) here.
As I mentioned in my original NSW week post I was fortunate to be sent a bag of goodies to play with from some of the brands supporting the week-long event including NU: Notebooks, Staedtler, Maped Helix, Bic and Sheaffer. As a dedicated stationery user I will admit to doing a victory lap around the dining table on opening my not-so-mini haul however I have now calmed myself enough to properly try out each item sent and this is what I found…..
Maped
I am an avid bullet journal fan, using it to pull together all of my “to do” items, from work and home. I find this system works very well for me as it helps me realistically plan my time (and who doesn’t like ticking off items when they are done). I am however very picky when it comes to what I write on and what I write with. I always use graph paper Field Notes and now use the fabulous Graph Peps pens from Maped Helix (extra fine 0.4) I was sent. I love the way the write, the triangular shape which makes them easy to hold and the fact that the pack came with red, black, green and blue pens giving me an everyday “master” pen and three others for colour coding and what not.
NU: Notebooks
I was new to NU: Notebooks before my bundle arrived however I am impressed. I had presumed that seeing as I’d seen NU: Notebooks pretty much everywhere that it would be a fairly cheap and cheerful, basic sort of brand that people buy because it is there and reliable. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Clearly NU: Notebooks are everywhere because everyone loves them!
The A7 jotter pictured here is perfect for on the go notes, shopping lists and more and the journal is a firm favourite of mine with perforated pages and a handy pouch at the back for receipts / notes etc. The paper quality is high, the covers feel great and are hardwearing, and both items are incredibly good value for money.
Bic
Despite having been around for some time (1945 I believe) Bic has a remarkable way of keeping up with what today’s pen-loving consumers are looking for, and produce this with style. I love the colours of these Cristal Fun pens and despite being a “thicker” pen at 1.6mm (I usually prefer a fine point) I find they write smoothly and look good.
Staedtler
To my delight I found a pack of these fabulous Staedtler pencils in my pack and to my horror my family have already pilfered a few of them. Roy especially loves these for sketching, the boys use them for homework (“because they make me writing neatly” says the 5yr old) and me, I use them for everything. When on client calls and furiously scribbling down notes or when writing in my family diary I always use a pencil and I always reach for Staedtler first.
Hands up if you used these at school?! I did and still love them today.
Sheaffer
I haven’t had a lot to do with Sheaffer if I’m being honest and so wasn’t sure what to expect here. To my delight this penis reassuringly heavy (pen fans will understand what I mean here), writes beautifully, (even in my hand), and looks great. This is a pen I was be proud to give as a gift and happier still to receive.
My first experience of Sheaffer has been very positive and as such I fully intend to investigate the brand further to see what else they have on offer.
In Summary
I am very picky when it comes to my stationery…. very! The children love it when I try new pens, notebooks and pencils because if they don’t feel right or don’t work for me they get to keep them. Being so picky I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really liked everything that was sent and in some cases, such as the Maped Graphs Peps intend to replace my old favourite with my new.
Don’t forget to catch up with what these brilliant brands are doing via the National Stationery Week website and join the chatter on both Facebook and Twitter.
I was asked to write a candid review of these items and have. I’m not paid to review and get to keep the stationery regardless of what I write about it and so you may be sure that this is an honest review based on my own experiences.
