ich Kalliope

Potential Disorder

Shopping yesterday, I landed in the back-to-school aisle.  It's pretty incredible how the smell of #2 pencils, and the sight of notebook paper can spark memories and inspire me to think of new starts and all the potential of a new year.  For me, the year begins in September.  Following the gift of a wonderful summer, restful and energizing, I was always optimistic about the new school year.  Fueled in large part by my addiction to back-to-school supplies, and the promise of staying organized. 

I believe those supplies were the main source of the much needed push I required to go back-to-school.  You see, I liked it at home, still do. There's an official diagnosis for it now, Separation Anxiety Disorder:

"Separation anxiety is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment ..."

Hmmm.  No, my husband doesn't have to "negotiate" me out the front door every morning, like my poor mom used to have to do... but I may still have this disorder.  Or it could be, that I just had an absolutely fabulous summer and it's hard to think about the long, hot days of summer ending... until next year. 

It got me thinking, what are my "school supplies" these days?  What are my current equivalents to pink erasers, bluecloth 3-ring binders, Bic pens and a new pencil pouch that will help me out the door?  What is my ritual that prepares me for the year ahead.  Fueled by a six-week sabbatical, I have some supplies in mind, they come in the form of aspirations and goals these days. 

But I am in the market for a new plaid skirt, and have a brand-new gold trimmed Hello Kitty pencil pouch in my bag! 

and when you can't visit

The internet is a wonderful thing.  It still amazes me that I can go to a great site like kikki-K.com and shop for my obsession.  Based in Australia, inspired by Swedish design, an amazing selection of beautiful notebooks, not to mention unique cards, for the stationery obsessed.  All in the proportionally perfect paper sizes of A4, A5 etc. Check it out.  Thank you Neil for pointing me in kikki.K's direction.   Here's a few items I'm adding to my wishlist.

       

And the winner is...

LIBERTY of LONDON! 
Part of the Gift Room on the ground floor of this shoppers paradise is the finest selection of stationery, and the best of the best found on the latest visit to satisfy my addiction.  The window displays were of these beautiflul metallic notebooks in deep aubergine, ochre/gold and silver.  I dropped a few pounds during a recent visit there, not the pounds that I have been trying to drop, the British kind. 

Visit to the Supplier

I'm off to Europe on 10 days of business travel. Do I have everything... passport, tickets, umbrella, sensible shoes, camera... NEW notebook.  The most important to document the trip and thoughts.  Check this one out, the $1.50 Brunnen notepad, about 4" x 6" in the most fabulous, spot-on trend blue.  Can't wait to crack it open on the plane.  Of course, I'm heading to the supplier of all suppliers Europe.  Will bring back the latest product and places to source this obsession.

MUJI

Another great source for stationery is MUJI, the Japanese firm was founded on the principles of "No Brand Quality Goods".  In the 26 years since it's start, it has become a brand itself.  A coveted one by many, including me.  The store on Carnaby Street in London, tucked in the shadows of the Liberty department store was my introduction to all things MUJI, from stationery to clothing to housewares.  It is the essence of simplicity.  The visual contradiction to Liberty could not have been greater.  Both places are wonderful.

MUJI prices are more than reasonable, notebooks of all sizes starting at around $1.00.  Their non-color color strategy is one of the best uses of visual merchandising I have seen to date.  So if you find yourself in Japan or Europe, and there is a MUJI store nearby, treat yourself to a visit.  You won't be disappointed. 

Those who help us

Whenever I travel, I always search out a stationery store.  Here are some of my favorite discoveries over the years.  A trip to any of these cities, without a visit to "stock-up" would be a shame.

Papier+ in Paris was one of my early discoveries during one of my first visits to this amazing city.  It is located at 9 rue du Pont Louis Philippe, in the Marais district of Paris.  A quick glimpse at their website, with the simple sketch of their storefront is the essence of this fabulous store.

Pepa Paper, in Barcelona at 167 Paris Street, with a few smaller shops around the city has one of the best selections of bound notebooks I have ever seen.  A friend and I walked out with no fewer than 7 a piece.  At the time we said we would give them as gifts... I haven't, yet.  I'll have to ask her.  They also have an absolutely amazing selection of wrapping papers.

Paperhaus is a more recent discovery for me in nearby Seattle, 2008 1st Avenue.  Not the selection of notebooks and papers that I usually covet, but great organization products and office supplies. 

Paperchase at 213-215 Tottenham Court Road in London is another absolute favorite.  Arriving in London, in the early morning after an overseas flight, this store was always open.  They have lots of locations, and recently sell some of their products at Borders stores in the USA.

Kaut Bullinger in Munich, is the Disneyworld for the stationery and art supply obsessed.  This one was on my Saturday to-do-list for more than seven years, and is still one of the first stops I make when I am in my beloved city.  The store located at Rosenstrasse 8 at the Marienplatz, is 5 stories, maybe 10... in any case, wear sensible shoes and plan a couple of hours. 

More to come... how 'bout your favorites?

Kaut Bullinger Rosenstrasse Munich

I heart New Notebooks

Kalliope's latest "fix" from Plumier de Femme

Fall is slowly coming upon us here in the Pacific Northwest, although we are still in midst of an amazing summer.  A real summer.  Hot, sunny, "can't remember the last time it rained" kind of summer.  But the evenings are getting a little cooler, and in the morning there's a brief chill in the air before it reaches 95 F. 

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Fall clothes, Friday night football games, the amazing fall foliage in New England, apples, hearty meals and making the first fire in the fireplace.  Which for me starting this year will be a flip of a switch on the gas fireplace... but I digress.

Although until I got into high school, I can't say that the "back to school" time was a real joy for me!  Until then I sort of dreaded the coming of the day after Labor Day.  The one thing that did get me excited was new school supplies!  A fresh new binder, a pack of paper, new markers and pencils.  Loved it, loved it!  It took my mind off of the actual thought of going "back to school".

I still have a softspot for new notebooks and sketchpads.  Actually, it borders on obsession.  No, it is fullout addiction.  It was fueled during my many years of living in Europe, where paper supplies are "objects of desire".  Over the years I have kept a running collection of my design sketchbooks, there are quite a few at this point.  All A4 size, my latest favorite being Ording & Reda, which I can find in NYC, no lines please.  I have new notebooks, all shapes, sizes and colors placed everywhere.  Some fit perfect in my purse, others are for travel only, some have a specific topic. 

I have way too many, and still not enough.  This post is the official start of my support group for the "Stationery Obsessed" hope to learn about how others deal with this issue.

Get ready it's "back-to-school" time!