I was reading the Guardian this afternoon in prep for my trip and saw a wonderful article that could have been written by my very own hand! In it, the writer declares her love for paper, pens, notebooks, markers and office items. All I wanted to do is shout, “ME, TOO!”.
And don’t even get me started on notebooks! I pick them up at Pearl River Mart when I am in New York. They have great lined notebooks with lovely brocade covers. 
I anguish over buying my annual calendar. And no, I don’t do it electronically after losing a year’s worth of data several years ago. I like the process of writing things down, and find I retain the information better.
Do you still do things on paper, or have you converted to electronic bits and bytes?
I need both paper (preferably both of the kinds in your last picture) and Outlook to keep me on track. I also don't trust electronic versions alone. 'Archive' is too often the same thing as 'Delete Permanently'.
ReplyDeleteten years or so a go I had a Palm Pilot and it only took one time for the battery to go dead while I was out without synching it to swear of the stuff. I agree that information is better retained when written with a pen. I just like the feel of nice paper too.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a notebook/calendar. I like to use different colors, post stickers, make it come alive so my days (and chores) feel exciting. I also love that you love the art/stationary stores. My husband and I both love to stroll along, pick up the pens and see how they feel; gel, ink, drawing pens, it doesn't matter. I love the art papers, the sticky borders, the ink pads and stamps. Oh my, it's like a candy store! I have to admit I feel the same way about textiles. I'd collect pieces of fabric and art paper just to have them around to look at. I think I have a problem??
ReplyDeleteElectronics have been good for organization and retrieval -- so far. But I'll never give up pen and paper.
ReplyDeleteAnd the printer says I'm the last person in town to still produce architectural drawings by hand.
I love notebooks too and have a ridiculous amount of them. My favorites these days are the Field Notes notebook--the perfect size and flexible enough to put in your pocket.
ReplyDeleteMeg--I have had this discussion with my "young" 30-something techie children. Why don't I use Outlook? Because where I work they have opted for Lotus Notes (I know)and I want to SIMPLIFY, not complicate. I use the Daytimer I've used forever. It is 1/2 page size, zippered, and I can stuff all kinds of things in the appropriate day and month without fear of losing them. It goes with me everywhere just like my iPhone. Paper and pencil gets my calendar vote every time.
ReplyDeletepaper paper paper!
ReplyDeleteI use a fountain pen and paper for just about everything. I've used a Filofax with cotton cream paper forever, and now I also use Filofax's Flex for jotting down story ideas, notes, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy Mac has the wonderful iCal that would efficiently keep track of everything, sync it with my iPhone, etc. and even send emails to colleagues, but its use isn't as pleasurable as pen on paper.
What is it about loving paper + pins-anything! I adore Paperchase in the UK + NY Pearlriver. Yeah. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteSend a letter or postcard each day via the postal service reach out and touch someone with a handwritten note. I ove stamps too
ReplyDeleteAdore the notebooks! Have lots and lots....LOVE the one you have with the blue dragons....will be searching for one of my very own!
ReplyDeleteThose notebooks are so pretty! I can't resist buying cute notebooks, but I never actually use them because they're never as user-friendly as plain old steno pads.
ReplyDeleteEver since high school, I've made myself a detailed to-do list every single day (I also use Outlook as a backup). When I get really busy, I map out weeks and months using Sharpies and ruled notebook paper. PLUS I save all of my trip packing lists, so I can refer back. And don't even get me started on the party-planning timelines I make in Excel...
My friends think I'm crazy, but I actually find it all very calming. It's much easier to sleep at night when everything's written down.
So happy to see the shout-out for the big Paperchase in London...I always make a beeline for it, though I wish sometimes that he merchandise didn't skew quite so young. Or is it me who is skewing old?
ReplyDeleteThese are my favorite kinds of stores as well...I could browse for hours and be happy if I only purchased one thing. I have gone pretty electronic, but I still write notes in little books, send written thank you notes and I'm a big list maker.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Meg.
ReplyDeleteI go nuts over paper and stationery stores. I still send handwritten cards to people.
I've even made paper, though only the most rudimentary kind. Still, I like to use it to write notes and wrap gifts. It gives me great pleasure to know I made it by hand.
(And hell, I got a cellphone only two years ago, and no, it's not a smart phone; it's a dumb one. It lives in a bureau drawer. I rarely take it anywhere.)
I'm a huge fan of Moleskine calendar books. I like the full size with large days of the week on the left page and a blank right page for notes.
ReplyDelete