Unboxing: RAH STMT X SPAIN!

Taking the rest of the year off from blogging due to too many things happening at once ( Christmas/Birthdays/Business Moving/editing deadlines/etc…..) BUT, I had to post my pics of RAH’s Spain kit that I received recently. Enjoy, and don’t miss getting one before they’re sold out! This is the last kit of the first year!

Click to embiggenate.

Palomino Flex Giveaway!!!

Today is the last day to get free Palomino Flex notebooks on Pencils.com. But, this Friday will be the day that two lucky people will each get one free small Palomino Flex notebook from me! I got the 3-pack from Pencils.com to review and in turn I’d like to share the love. I’m only keeping the one that I used in the review. (I’ll order more later) The two up for the giveaway are squeaky clean.

Just comment below and you’re in. Two winners will be chosen randomly using the Random Number Generator at Random.org. Winners will be posted on this week’s Weekly Wrap (Nov. 4th, 2011). One comment per person will be eligible, numbered in the order that they are posted, and multiple entries will be deleted. Contest runs from now until Thursday Nov. 3, 2011 @ 11:59pm Pacific Time. Winners will have one week to claim their notebook before I choose another winner to replace them. Basically, winners have until the following Weekly Wrap to send an email to john (at) pencilwrap.com with where they would like their notebooks shipped. Capisce??

This contest is open worldwide to everyone that wants a free notebook. (As long as the USPS delivers there.)

And in case you missed it, my Palomino Flex review is here. Good Luck!

Palomino Flex vs. Moleskine Cahier

The folks over at Pencils.com recently debuted some new notebooks. Day one I ordered myself up some of them in medium sizes (8.5″ x 5.5″) Soon after, things picked up at work and I didn’t get to them as fast as I would have hoped. In the midst of the fray, Alexander over at Pencils.com, upon noting that I had purchased several of their luxury notebooks but no pocket sized, kindly sent a few my way to try out. These Palomino Flex notebooks are very nice. They look and feel like a higher quality version of the Moleskine cahiers for about the same price. I decided to do this review as more of a comparison to the Moleskine cahier since I’ve carried a cahier with me just about everywhere I go for a long time.

The moment I opened up and flipped through the Palomino Flex I immediately felt the difference. First off, the cover feels slightly thicker. Not a huge difference, but like the paper inside, it feels of a little bit higher quality. I have not put these into daily use so far since I just got them but I know that I’ve had several cahier covers fall apart so upping the sturdiness of the cover is always a plus. Speaking of falling apart, the addition of the orange cover to the spine is very practical. A couple of my cahiers have had their covers come off at the stitching. This looks like it might prevent that from happening. Also, one major difference that is very noticeable is that the stitching on the Moleskine is black, while the stitching on the Palomino is white. On the Moleskine the stitching is clearly visible on the inside as it contrasts with the paper but is not noticeable on the outside since it matches the cover. The Palomino’s stitching is not that noticeable on the inside since it’s white and blends with the white paper. On the outside it’s not visible at all because of the orange cover on the spine.

The Paper

Each Moleskine Cahier has 64 pages (32 sheets) with the last 16 sheets, or back half of the notebook, being perforated. The Palomino Flex has 80 pages (40 sheets) and only the last 8 are perforated. The paper quality on the Flex is 70 gsm as stated on their website while the Moleskine’s gsm isn’t really stated anywhere. I can tell you that the paper in the Flex feels smoother to the touch and while writing. As you can see from the writing test pics below, the Palomino’s paper is white while the Moleskine’s paper is off-white. Both of the notebooks that I reviewed are lined with 6mm ruling. The only difference there is that the Palomino has a header space and therefore 2 less lines (21).

Both notebooks performed similarly in the writing test. I only had slight bleed through when using the Sharpie and the Bic Mark-it markers and some ghosting with the Pilot G-2 1.0mm. But, in their defense, I do write heavy handed. My Platinum Preppy is a fine nib so if you use a wider one you might get ghosting or even bleed through depending on how much in your pen is pushing out. I know that Moleskines are not particularly fountain pen friendly. I decided to do an erase test since I messed up while writing with the Staedtler in the Moleskine. I colored in a solid block using the Staedtler 0.5mm with HB lead and used a Staedtler Mars Plastic Combi eraser. Both performed fine. (The eraser that I used when trying to fix the “2″ in “925″ was the eraser on the pencil itself. It erased the mistake but didn’t quite clean up as good as using the Staedtler Mars Plastic Combi eraser.)

The pics above show that both of the notebooks are flexible and open flat. I’m guessing that because of the orange cover on the spine of the Palomino it’s a little stiffer to fold back on itself than the Moleskine. Also, after bending them back on themselves, the Palomino doesn’t lay flat while shut as well as the Moleskine. (pic below). But, seeing as most of the time it would be living in my back pocket, I think that my weight would help it shut just fine.

Both of these pocket notebooks are offered with lined, graph, or plain sheets. The Palomino is only offered with a black cover while the Moleskine comes in many colors including black, blue ,and red.

As I stated, I have been using the Moleskines for a long time. That might be due to the fact that I bought a whole bunch of them at a sale a while back so I’ve slowly been going through them for a couple of years. But, I really like the look and feel of these Palomino Flex notebooks. I can’t wait to use them regularly as my capture tool.

Right now Amazon has the Moleskine Cahiers for $8.95 and Pencils.com is offering the Palomino Flex notebooks for $8.95. So, for the same price you get a little higher quality and more sheets on your capture tool. It’s like getting free paper! And who doesn’t like free paper?!?

Thanks for taking time to read my review and be sure to check back soon for more reviews of the rest of the notebooks I bought from Pencils.com along with the rest of the back log that I have of writing instruments. (There are A LOT!!!)

And, thank you again to Alexander at Pencils.com for sending me these Palomino Flex to review.  I will for sure be adding them to my next Pencils.com order of Palomino Blackwings.

My Habit

A couple of weeks ago I signed up to receive emails from Amazon’s My Habit program. In case you don’t know what that is here it is in their words:

MYHABIT is a private fashion sale site offering up to 60% off hand-picked selections from designer and boutique brands. Founded by Amazon.com, MYHABIT sets a new standard in convenience, offering free, instant membership; fast, free shipping on U.S. orders and free return shipping in the U.S., as well as fast $25 international shipping to 50+ countries. The site also offers shoppers a complete fashion experience including 360-video shot on models, lavish photography and editorial segments.

Most of the items that they offer don’t appeal to me but apparently they keep closer tabs on me than I thought because in today’s “event” was a Rhodia Journal Set. I decided to just take a snapshot since you need to be a member in order to see the direct link, although it’s free to sign up and you can use your Amazon log-in to enter.

My "Rhodia" Habit

The set includes two journals, a large and a pocket, for $25. Not bad. It’s like getting the pocket for free! If they offer more things like this, I might keep them around.

New Arrivals

Into the Fray!!!

The Aurora Ipsilon Satin Fountain Pen now being offered by Jet Pens caught my eye. Unfortunately that’s exactly where it punched my wallet as well. I’m going to have to save up for this beauty but it will be added to the pen wish list.

Gel pens are my favorite. This Parker Urban looks like a gel pen kicked up a notch and has the price to show for it. It will be nice to have a twist-action gel pen to add to the arsenal. (I would have chosen the pic for the other one but it had twilight in the name.)

For the artist that wants to make the doodles on their clothes pop, Sharpie is accommodating. These Stained brush tip fabric markers are made to be used to draw on your pants, shirts, hats, or whatever you’re wearing. I would have gone for something like this back in high school when I would doodle on my pants when bored in class. They resist fading during normal cold wash cycles and if you only hang dry the garment.

Earlier last week Pencils.com announced that California Republic Stationers has a new series of hand crafted notebooks that will be revealed starting this Monday, September 19th through Friday September 23rd. Newsletter subscribers will have first dibs during a subscriber only presale on the 26th. The items will sell to the general public the next day. I can’t wait to see all of these to know how many will make their way to my shelves.

This Mont Blanc Writers Edition Carlo Collodi Pinnochio Fountain Pen is something that I’ll probably not add to my collection. It’s beautiful but I have a mortgage to pay.

And for those of us that follow the GTD guidelines for always staying current with our work, Staples has 100 packs of 3-Tab manila folders on sale for 50% off. I know that David says that you need to keep at least 100 on hand so here is our chance to stock up for half off.

 

 

Last week I had the Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner markers on the New Arrivals post. Shockingly The Pen Addict has already reviewed one after picking up a couple. Check out his review of Ultramarine Blue.

 

This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated in any way with the vendors that I mentioned above. I’m just pointing everyone in the direction of where to get the loot I like. If, in the future, one of these posts is sponsored, it will state it clearly at the beginning and the end.

 

 

New Arrivals

Last week it was all notebooks, this week there’s a little more variety.

I just saw these Stabilo Point 88 Fineliner Marker Pens in an email from JetPens. I’m liking how these markers are designed to look similar to pencils . They are offered individually for 80 cents. They also come in packs of 10, 20 and 25, but you pay more per in the 25 pack. The best deal is the 20. I think I’m gonna go with that.

 

 

As part of Lifehacker’s Stuff We Like category,  they profiled these highlighter pencils by Stubby Pencil Studio. They “use no ink solvents, no volatile organic compounds and are biodegradable.” Nice. I can always use more highlighters. Especially ones that don’t stink and won’t bleed through my pages.

 

 

The new TWSBI Diamond 540 Fountain Pen. I slacked off and didn’t get myself the 530 when everyone was saying it was so great. I’m not going to miss getting the 540. Pick one up either at Goulet Pens or the TWSBI eBay store.

I still haven’t gotten my hands on the new Habana with the ivory colored paper. I really liked the bright white paper, but I felt that the 8mm line spacing was a little large for the way that I write. The fact that the new version has 5.5mm lines makes it even more attractive. I just wish it also came in brown. Brian from Goulet Pens made a great comparison video that only serves to provoke my covetousness. Enjoy!

This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated in any way with the vendors that I mentioned above. I’m just pointing everyone in the direction of where to get the loot I like. If, in the future, one of these posts is sponsored, it will state it clearly at the beginning and the end.

Acquisitions – Goulet Pens: Rhodia Planner & Unlimited Notebooks

I received my nice new Rhodia planner for 2012 from Goulet Pens. This year (2011) I was using a Moleskine but in 2012 I’m going to be writing on 90g, acid-free paper. The planner is slightly covered by the two Rhodia Unlimited Notebooks that were also part of the order.

Comparison between planners to be posted soon!

New Arrivals

I’m adding a new category! New Arrivals is a category where I hope to do a weekly preview of all the newer stationery paraphernalia and writing instruments that I’m excited about getting my hands on. These will be things that I have on order, haven’t been released, or I have added to wish lists somewhere. And I will tell you where. Let’s get started.

First up are these Japanese Campus notebooks. I have several of these notebooks already. The ones I bought have headers to write in subject, date and the like, and one is grid ruled. I picked mine up at Bunbodo. I’m glad to see that Jet Pens is now carrying them! Hopefully they will expand the selection.

Rhodia just put out a bunch of stuff that I can’t wait to get my hands on.  At the moment I’m waiting on a pair of the Rhodia Unlimited Notebooks along with a 2012 Rhodia WebPlanner that will replace my 2011 Moleskine. (Review/comparison to come soon.) Below is the video that Brian from The Goulet Pen Company posted showcasing and explaining all the new Rhodia items. I think I’ve watched it 5 times. Can’t get enough.

There it is. The first New Arrivals post. Short and to the point. The links I posted throughout will take you directly to the items that I  specifically mentioned so you can get them too.

This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated in any way with the vendors that I mentioned above. I’m just pointing everyone in the direction of where to get the loot I like. If, in the future, one of these posts is sponsored, it will state it clearly at the beginning and the end.

Panama!

This month’s RAH dish comes from Panama! Whenever you say Panama, this song is the first thing that pops into my mind. Sorry. Growing up in the 80s and playing guitar, there is no way that it could be any other way. The notebook with the Spanish Conquistador Balboa on the cover looks awesome. And, instead of  just getting the notebook, you get a notebook jacket! Also, because conquistadors need their metal, you get a shiny eraser shield too!

Read The Low Down on Sam and Hen’s Panama trip and order yourself up some zebra print….wait, no… just get some Panamanian goodies at RAH.

How Moleskine Gets Branding Right

Fast Company Design‘s got a good article on Moleskine’s branding and why it works.Worth the read.