In Paper Review

Hands On: Field Notes Colors Edition Ambition

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

Field Notes Ambition

I finally received my Field Notes Colors Subscription Ambition edition. I’ve been super excited about this set. I like the different paper formats and the inclusion of the planner is a great chance to launch into 2015 more organized than ever.

Field Notes Ambition edging

The embossed logos in gold over the jeweled French Speckletone cardstock covers feels vintage and fresh, all at once. The gilded edging is a beautiful detail and looks so good with the deep jewel tones of the covers. Such a  treat!

I’m probably one of the few people who will probably never use the graph paper book. If anyone wants to swap their ledger paper for my graph paper, drop me an email.

Field Notes Ambition paper

I haven’t done any writing tests with the new Cougar 50# natural white featured in the Ambition edition. Yet.

At least not knowing what the paper is. I did get to test drive an assortment of papers over the summer for Field Notes but it was a blind test so I’m not sure which stock was finally chosen.  I returned my test writings to Field Notes HQ in July so I don’t know which paper was what. Hopefully, it will live up to me expectations. I tried some very nice options in those blind tests.

Field Notes Ambition comparison

The Traveling Salesman edition is one of my favorites so I was excited about the ledger format too. The photo above is the new Ambition ledger paper (back) next to the Traveling Salesman. I still love the green tinted paper (of course) but the light brown lines of the Ambition ledger paper is easy on the eyes and so classic.

If you’ve ever wanted to introduce a friend or family member to the joys of Field Notes, this edition is a great place to start. Grab as many sets as you can before they run out. $9.99 for a set of three. Colors Subscriptions start at $97.

See other great Field Notes Ambition write-ups from:

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Field Notes and Coudal Partners for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In feature

Society 6 Phone Cases

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Knitting is my Therapy, Vintage Majestic radio, Vintage bird, Camera, Pigeon Radio, and Ancient Constellations
Knitting is my Therapy, Vintage Majestic radio, Vintage bird, Camera, Pigeon Radio, and Ancient Constellations

With the purchase of my new phone this week, I am on the hunt to accessorize it with great cases. I love all the options from Society 6 which lets independent artists sell their artwork on not just phone cases and skins but also prints, shirts and more. These are the cases on my short, each is $35 and is a hard shell case. The cases are also available in sizes to fit other comnon phone types.

Do you prefer plain cases, arty cases or no case at all on your phone? Do you match your phone wallpaper to your case?

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Black Friday

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment

Fashionable Friday: Black Friday

I had to do it. Nothing is more stylish than black and how appropriate to feature black on Black Friday — with discounts and coupons galore! Act fast, a lot of these shops are offering discounts, free shipping coupons and more today!

  • Black Soft Cover Folio $14 (via Poppin)
  • Black Tape Dispenser $12 (via Poppin)

Poppin is having a 20% off sale for Black Friday so get all those coordinating black accessories today

  • Bloomsbury Bookbag Stocked with Tools $69 (via Levenger)

Levenger is having a 25% off sale so the canvas tote filled with products and everything else in their store is on sale today.

  • Lamy Safari umbra fountain pen (matt black) 18,90 € (via Fontoplumo)
  • Pilot Namiki Black (60ml) $12 (via Goulet Pens)
  • The Daily Times Planner by Seeso Graphics £5.95 (via Fox & Star)
  • Blackwing Slate Journal $22.95 (via Pencils.com)

Pencils.com is offering free stickers, Blackwing Pencils (for orders over $20) and Blackwing t-shirts (with orders over $100) with every order as wellas free shipping for orders over $25 and other great offers.

  • Tombow Mono 100 Pencil HB $2.35 (via Jet Pens)
  • Uni Boxy Eraser Black $1.40 (via Jet Pens)
  • Rotring 600 0.5mm mechanical pencil $33 (via Jet Pens)
  • Midori Aluminum Multi Ruler $17.75 (via Jet Pens)
  • Pentel Hi-Polymer Ain Eraser Small Black Pack of 2 for $2 (via Jet Pens)

The Rotring 600, the Boxy eraser and several other items are available as Buy One Get One Free with orders totally $70 or more through 12/1. See details here.

  • Papermate Black Pearl eraser 2-pack for $2.39 (via Amazon)
  • Matte Black Journal Notebook, 6×6 $9.95 (via Productive Luddite)

Happy Black Friday!

OOPS! I forgot to include Pen Chalet’s 15% off sale, including already reduced price items, through Monday, Dec 1. Use the coupon code BLACK15 to get the discount. More info can be found here.

Maybe I’ll try the Pelikan M205 again… in black, of course. $97.50 + 15% off and free shipping!

Pelikan M205 in black

In Link Love

Link Love: All The Fixin’s

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment

link-pilgrimLinks of the Week:

The links of the week MUST be all the great start-of-the-holiday season offers from our favorite pen retailers. There will be more offers tomorrow and on Monday so check back with all your favorites for good deals. Here are a few I found that are good today as well.

  • Pen Chalet’s sale starts on Friday including specials deals, a special coupon and free shipping for orders over $50.
  • Scout Books 30% your order with the code “BLACKBOOK” (thru 11/30, restrictions apply)
  • Pen Boutique 10% off whole order with the code “THANKSGIVING14” (good today only 11/27)
  • Levenger 25% off whole order and free shipping (thru 11/29)
  • Knock Knock is offering free shipping with the code “EARLYBIRD”
  • Uppercase Magazine stock-up sale. Back issues $10 each. If you join her email newsletter, more special offers will be coming on Friday and Monday, as well as a steady stream of art and inspiration.
  • $10 and $20 discount coupons on European Paper (through 12/2)

Note: If you haven’t already, be sure to join the email newsletters from all your favorite retailers. There are often special offers for email subscribers and you’ll be the first to hear about other holiday-related special deals.

Pens:

Inks:

Pencils:

Paper & Notebooks:

Other important stuff:

In Pen Review

Review: Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point

The Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point ($2.50) is a pen I can’t believe I had never tried or owned before last week. I’ve heard others talk about them but I’d never tried one. It was about time!

In the past, I’d only ever seen the larger point sizes (0.5, 0.7 and 1.0) and I knew they would not be well-suited to my left-handed tendency to smear. So, I wasn’t compelled to try them until I found the Needle Point version at 0.35mm.

Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point

The tip immediately reminded me of the Pilot Precise V5 or the Morning Glory Mach 3 0.38 pens — with the needle point tip and rollerball feel.

The body of the pen has a rubberized grip area which makes it quite comfortable to hold. The rest of the aesthetics of the pen are as non-descript as most “supply cabinet” pens. While not offensive, the looks are not unique or interesting.

Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point Writing Sample

When writing, the experience vastly exceeds its humdrum looks. Its practically glassy on Rhodia paper which means on your average office photocopy, it will write smoothly with minimum friction.

Even on the high-quality Rhodia paper, the ink dries quickly so I had no embarrassing lefty smears or smudges.

When compared to the Morning Glory Mach 3 and the Pilot Precise V5, the Energel was the smoothest on paper. The Morning Glory Mach 3 felt a little toothier on the paper, especially on slick paper, but the Pilot Precise V5 took longer to dry and caused some smudges.The Precise V5 also tends to get a little gloppy on the tip over time which I didn’t notice with the Energel Needle Point at all.

Aesthetically, the Energel is the least appealing but the writing experience more than makes up for its looks. One can hope that its so ugly no one will try to steal it off your desk.

Pentel Energel 0.35 Needle Point Comparison

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Jet Pens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In news

Hands On: Karas Kustoms Cube

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

Karas Kustoms Cube

Just yesterday, I was talking about the latest Kickstarter project by Karas Kustoms and Mike Dudek, The Cube and, lo-and-behold, look what showed up on my doorstep!

The Cube is absolutely stunning to look at. It really is perfectly machined and the Delrin inserts fit cleanly giving a finished, professional look to the stand that honestly cannot be rivaled. There are rubber feet on the bottom that makes it look like its floating while keeping it from sliding around when adding or removing pens from the Cube.

Karas Kustoms Cube

I filled it with an assortment of aluminum, chrome and classic pens found scattered across my desk. From a small Kaweco Liliput to a large Lamy Studio, everything fit beautifully into the Cube.

Karas Kustoms Cube weight

As for the weight, it truly is a solid block of aluminum weighing in at just under two pounds.

Karas Kustoms Cube

There are still two weeks left to back this project. Funding levels start at $75 for one Cube, $140 for two and $205 for three. There are four vivid, anodized colors as well as silver. How do you ever pick just one?

In feature

Uppercase Magazine 23: Calligraphy & Lettering Issue

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

Uppercase Magazine #23 Calligraphy Cover

I’ve always loved how much detail and thought goes into each issue of Uppercase magazine. Issue 23 holds a special place in my heart though. For one, the issue is all about calligraphy and lettering so every page is a treat.

Uppercase Magazine #23 Calligraphy Tag Team Tompkins

Also, my dear friends Tag Team Tompkins are featured in the issue in a two-page spread. And finally, I got the photo credit for their feature since I got to visit their studio and capture these two amazing ladies in their natural habitat.

Uppercase Magazine #23 Calligraphy Feature

If you’ve never checked out an issue of this beautifully crafted, independent magazine before, issue 23 is a perfect place to start.

Uppercase Magazine #23 Calligraphy Letraset

Right now, Uppercase is holding a “Stock Up Sale” and back issues are just $10 CAD each through Monday, Dec. 2 so this is the perfect time to grab an issue or two. Issue 17, the Stationery Issue, would also be a great first foray into the beautiful world of Uppercase.

Subscriptions make a great gift too!
In a wonderful act of kismet, I wrote this post days before Uppercase became a sponsor of this blog. Thanks to Uppercase for supporting The Well-Appointed Desk and thanks to all you fine readers who support our sponsors!