The Pen Addict (Blog)

Summertime stationery, the Field Notes “Paletas” Edition. LAMY, what are you doing to me? Spending my money, that’s what! Meteorite and Meteora have landed, what are your thoughts? I’m in on what they are doing, but neither will make my “You can only keep 10 fountain pens list.” That’s what Myke and I were up against in this episode, and had a blast sorting it out.

For when you want to feel fancy but need to be practical, Esterbrook offers some of their prettiest materials in a ballpoint pen. The ultra-classy Nouveau Bleu material, an elegant acrylic in shades of blue with gold veins and flecks, comes with either gold or chrome trim. The pen has a faux cap, so that it looks like a posted pen, but the cap section is really a twist mechanism that deploys the tip from the nose cone. This cap-like end pulls off to reveal the cartridge.

Is this the silliest giveaway I’ve ever done on The Pen Addict? Possibly. But it is Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, and you need protection from the sun. Who better to handle that other than JetDo, the cute JetPens mascot! I have one JetPens JetDo Bucket Hat to give away, and yes, I even kept one for myself. Read the rules below and enter away!

Everything old is new again, I guess? New to me anyway. The LIFE Ramune Notebook is relatively new, launching in the past year or two. But the old part is what’s on the inside, which is LIFE L Writing Paper, which we first reviewed back in 2018. I didn’t think much more about it then because this paper was packaged as a letter writing pad. Wide lines, fancy borders on some models, traditional lattice pattern paper, etc.

Each week in Refill, the Pen Addict Members newsletter, I publish Ink Links as part of the additional content you receive for being a member. And each week, after 10 to 15 links, plus my added commentary on each, I'm left with many great items I want to share. Enter Misfill.

The Gamify Your Life Players Handbook is a wonderful way to help you manage your planner, journal, and even your life in a fun and functional way. I had the pleasure of taking Ana Reinert’s class at the St. Louis Pen Show where she provided tips and tricks on how she created and uses this handbook. I have one copy of the zine to give away this week, and will include a set of dice and a Roll for Initiative sticker sheet to get you started.

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.) At the 2026 Chicago Pen Show, Tori Woods of Stationery Universe released her First Blossom collection. Inspired by the blooms in her neighborhood, she collaborated with Papier Plume to make these inks a reality. And like a dingbat, I kept forgetting to buy the First Blossom inks.

I never get tired of stationery awards, and this time, it’s the 2026 ISOT selections that Myke and I break down. With a surprise, but warranted, winner, this list is filled with usable stationery, and gives me a list of new items to look out for. Speaking new items, I had them this week, including the new uniball &knot ballpoint pen. Show Notes & Download Links This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PENADDICT.

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!) This little midcentury wonder is the source of one of my earliest stationery fascinations. That's probably true for a lot of us.

The Gamify Your Life Players Handbook is a wonderful way to help you manage your planner, journal, and even your life in a fun and functional way. I had the pleasure of taking Ana Reinert’s class at the St. Louis Pen Show where she provided tips and tricks on how she created and uses this handbook. I have one copy of the zine to give away this week, and will include a set of dice and a Roll for Initiative sticker sheet to get you started. Read the rules below and get to entering!