My love for office supplies

The other day I decided I needed to go on a fun lunchtime excursion so I took a walk to Greenwich Letterpress. They had so many great new things in the store. I had to use a lot of restraint not to spend all my money.

But I did buy this vintage German chalk.

I love the box, and the fish chalkboard could use some stylish writing utensils.

Sadly, by the time I got back to work all of the chalk had broken in the box (I peeked inside the box while in the store so I know I didn't buy it that way). But that's okay, they'll still write.

I had actually seen this very similar product on Present and Correct not too long ago and had considered buying it. I like the paper wrappers.

They also have this chalk, in a snazzy green package. To be honest, I pretty much want to buy everything that Present and Correct has to offer. I have a real weakness for office supplies and paper products (which is funny because I tend to have really disorganized workspaces), and theirs are not only practical but gorgeous.

I love this rainbow pencil calendar set. Each month has its own pencil--you can sharpen off the days as you go. Although I don't think I could bring myself to whittle them away to nothing. Maybe I'd need to buy two sets--one to use and one just to admire. (This is why stylish supplies don't work for me--if they look too nice I don't want to use them and dirty them up.)

It might take a little getting used to, but I think I could actually put something like this to good use. Each little well is perfect for the supplies that are usually scattered across my desk--pens, post-it notes, binder clips, and so on.

In addition to Present and Correct, there are a number of etsy stores that specialize in cool and interesting vintage supplies--for instance, 26 Olive Street. Their photographs are especially nice, with artful arrangements, and the beautiful Polaroid-esque colors. I can't imagine that they're really Polaroids (what with the current rarity of instant film), so I assume that they've been stylized, perhaps with an image maker like Poladroid.


I love this perpetual calendar/pencil cup (and those binders aren't too shabby either).

Coolest hole punch ever.

Getting back to the subject of Greenwich Letterpress, they were selling the newest rubber stamp set from Yellow Owl, and I think this might be my favorite out of all of them (though I do like all of them). I have asked for one for Christmas the past two years, and no one has ever bought one for me. Maybe I'll just have to splurge and go back next week for one. Think of all the pretty city scenes I could be making.

I choo-choo-choose you!

For Valentine's Day this year Dave gave me a particularly inspired gift:

A giant mug filled with craft supplies. Since I can't take wrap-around photos (obviously), you probably can't tell that it says CRAFTER MUG. And on the bottom: "Crafter MugTM is a limited edition 2009 Valentines Day production. Davey Hyde, Ltd." It was drawn on with a special paint marker that can be used on ceramics, metal, glass, and so on. You just have to bake it in the oven after it's done drying. We tried this once before and the result was pretty good but the design I drew has been getting scraped off bit by bit after washing. Maybe you can't use ceramics with a glaze. But I digress.

(Note: I'm sort of regretting not waiting to clean up before taking the picture, as I've revealed that we are slobs.)


There's also a little tutorial on how to make a valentine, in case you weren't sure (hint: it involves a paper heart, scissors, ink, and stamps). Funny enough, neither of us gave the other something like this.


Inside the mug were some typewriter font rubber stamps, inkpads, xacto blades (papercutting, here I come!), mod podge, and foam brushes. All very useful things.

(Not pictured but also sticking out of the mug--sort of--was a reissue of the Beyond the Implode single. Sadly, my favorite song is not on it. But still a good gift!)


In hindsight I decided it wasn't quite apparent enough just how big the crafter mug is, so here it is next to a regular size mug. That would hold a lot of hot chocolate.


I went the more traditional Valentine's Day route of cards and treats: truffles from Jacques Torres (which is conveniently across the street from where I work), seltzer (Dave's favorite), and mulled cider spices.


This is the second year in a row that I made a card, and then happened to see one in a store that I couldn't resist--who could turn down squirrels in love? (For those interested, while I bought the card at Greenwich Letterpress, it can also be purchased online at the Enormous Champion etsy store.)

I've never actually made hot apple cider but I saw these mulled cider sachets on etsy, and thought that cuddling with (or maybe just while drinking) cider sounded like a nice thing to do on Valentine's Day. I really like the little pouch.


For the handmade card I experimented with sewing on paper. It came out kind of messy looking (hey, it was my first attempt), but then again I sort of like the drawn-by-a-little-kid aesthetic. I'd also like to practice more and eventually make something that looks a bit neater, but I thought this was a good start.


I love secret messages.