By Jessica Coles I often joke that my planner contains my life. Earlier this year, though, that joke turned out to be true; I lost my Hobonichi planner during the Chicago pen show and my organized life went with it. This is where I wish I could tell you that planners are a great thing…
Showing all posts by Jessica Coles
Fountain Pen Review: Esterbook Estie (Tortoise with Gold Trim)
By Jessica Coles A few months ago I heard that the Esterbrook trademark had been purchased by Kenro Industries and the manufacturing of Esterbrook pens was going to restart. I had many thoughts about this, not many of them comforting. Esterbrook closed their doors for good in 1972. There was a brief attempt to revive…
Ink Review: Robert Oster Carbon Fire
Review by Jessica Coles Have you ever seen someone who has absolutely found their niche in life? Sean Connery? He was absolutely meant to be an actor. Billy Joel? Piano entertainer. It’s a pleasure to see them at their work because it seems to be a natural extension of themselves. Sometimes I wonder if Robert Oster…
Fountain Pen Review: Monteverde Monza
Review by Jessica Coles Monteverde has recently come out with several new nibs for their Monza line. The Monteverde flex nib ($16.00 at Pen Chalet) is one of these. The Monza flex comes in a light green plastic box — somewhat like a small pencil box where the pen, two cartridges, and the included converter are packed in a…
Notebook Review: Dingbats* Earth Sky Blue Great Barrier Reef A5+ Notebook
Review by Jessica Coles Dingbats* notebooks (yes, the star is part of the full name) are not new to the stationery world. The notebook line began in 2011 in Lebanon and is produced by their parent company, Société Kamel Bekdache et Fils SAL. The parent company has operated since 1800 as a family business and is the…
Notebook & Ink Review: Baron Fig Dream Journal & Akkerman #10 Ijzer-galnoten Blauw-Zwart (Iron Gall)
Review by Jessica Coles Just before leaving for the San Francisco pen show, I received an item to review: Baron Fig’s newest notebook called the Wander Dream Journal. As this is the first time Baron Fig has tried their hand at adding content to a journal, I was intrigued to see what was inside. The first…
Pen and Ink Review: TWSBI Go and Robert Oster Pacific Ocean Teal
Review by Jessica Coles Imagine this: Exhausted from 8 hours of travel and flight delays, plus the pleasure of being jammed in a big metal tube with strangers and offered snacks that consist of exactly three pretzels. Then my wonderful and beautiful friend, Kimberly (aka allthehobbies. NOT Kim) drives up and helps me to load…