thefinerpoint

[thefinerpoint]

August 2021 Reading List.

This month’s reading list is a little smaller than previous months. I have been struggling to carve out as much time to read at home with changing commitments and some home improvement projects. August is also a bit more mixed in the books I have read and the topics covered.

Bobby Seagull - The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers. I decided to try this book after seeing it on a book clubs previously read list. I never felt confident with Maths at school and always felt lost and confused. Apparently I am not alone in this as around 50% of adults in the UK say they are no good at Maths. This book does help in some way to explain some basic mathematical ideas and there really are some great quotes and ideas for encouragement. I did have to re-read a few sections to try and understand what Seagull was talking about and the Maths problems at the end of each chapter baffled me. I want to expand the topics of my non-fiction reading and this book ticks that box.

Douglas Stuart - Shuggie Bain This was the Man Booker prize winner for 2020. What I noticed the most from this novel is the visual imagery that Stuart was able to create. This is a tragic story but wonderfully written. If you can cope with the melancholy side, then this is a worthy addition to a reading list.

Brené Brown - The Gifts of Imperfection. Martha Beck brought the concept of soul teachers to my attention in The Way of Integrity and since reading this I have felt there is no doubt that Brené Brown is one of mine. The way she frames ideas and explains her theories smacks me across the face and makes me think. This is the first time I have read the Gifts which I decided to read as part of her summer read along podcast series. So many great ideas in here but her definitions on love and belonging are brilliant. As with most of Browns books I end up highlighting loads of things and annoying my husband with her ideas and teachings.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - We Should all be Feminists. This tiny little book is the speech from Adichie’s Ted Talk. It’s essentially like a long read article and therefore very quick to consume. The ideas she presents in here about feminism are brilliant and the way she frames and defines feminism is simple and eye opening. Feminism always feels like a sensitive topic that can lead to uncomfortable conversations and eye rolls, but after reading this book there shouldn’t be any reason why. As I said in last months post, Adichie is wonderful, concise and writes beautifully. Another one to revisit, to gift and to share.

"For centuries, the world divided human beings into two groups and then proceeded to exclude and oppress one group. It is only fair the solution to the problem should acknowledge that. "  -- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - We Should all be Feminists. P. 41.

Ronan Farrow - Catch and Kill. This book takes some stomach to read. Farrow is a journalist who uncovered the story about the sexual assaults of Harvey Weinstein and subsequently a lot of other men in positions of power. The content is graphic and in some cases they really were sickening. The lengths and challenges Farrow had to go to to share this story was unbelievable to a point but I found them an interesting point of the narrative. I am not sure I could recommend this book but as a long form account of the story it really is both interesting and sad.

Samantha Dion Baker - Draw Your World. I have been dipping in and out of this book throughout the month. It’s a great book about Bakers sketching experience and how you can draw the small and big things around you to create a visual diary. I have taken both of Bakers Skillshare classes which were great and this book supports some of the idea there. It’s a lovely book to pick up, look through a few pages or sections.

Here’s to Septembers reading.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

July 2021 Reading List.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun My audible pick for this month. Firstly the narrator of this audiobook was wonderful. Her performance added to the story and characters, her tone was calm and beautiful. As with most audiobooks the narrator’s performance is so important to the story and the listeners enjoyment.

Adichie is a new girl crush for me and I realise I am slow on the uptake. I have consumed various different forms of media with her this month, my favourite being her appearance on Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail podcast which was very emotional.

I think the characters from Half a Yellow Sun will stay with me for some time. I loved hearing the Igbo language from the narrator which ensured I wasn’t cocking up the pronunciation in my head. The story was beautifully told and links right back to Adichies Ted Talk on the danger of a single story. A beautiful novel that I would highly recommend.

Elif Shafak - How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division I heard Elif Shafak speak on a programme not long ago. Somehow I had never heard, read or listened to her before and she has become another girl crush for me. I love the way she speaks and the perspective she brings to everyday debates but also long-standing issues that people face including gender and race. This is such a small book but Shafak forces you to ask questions of yourself. It’s an excellent read, I was scribbling all over my copy and will be recommending and gifting this book.

Akala - Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire. This book was again part of a book club pick, (a book club that I am still not a member of), and so I thought it would read along as their June pick was so good. Again this was an excellent read and looked at racism from the experience of the author growing up in Britain. The chapter on Cuba and South Africa and the way white people view the respective historic leaders was really eye opening. Akalas writing style is brilliant and his lyricism comes across in his work.

"It’s much easier to focus on the demonisation or demagoguery of an individual than actually discuss the outcomes of a political process. By focusing on the person of Fidel Castro, or of Mandela for completely opposite reasons, we can avoid any real analysis of the legacies of the apartheid struggle and the Cuban Revolution."  -- Akala- Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire.

Rachel Cusk - Kudos the final book in the trilogy by Cusk. As mentioned in previous posts I enjoy how Cusk displays people through a series of conversations within each of these books. The writing style is unusual but really enjoyable.

Viktor E. Frankl - Man’s Search for Meaning this book is split into two parts, the first describing Frankls experience as a Holocaust and concentration camp survivor and the second goes into Logotherapy. As the title suggests, Frankls main thesis is that if a person has a meaning then they can survive anything that life has to throw at them. The key is to understanding what their meaning is. He quotes Nietzsche ‘if man has a why he can survive any how’ a number of times in the book which underpins his own ideas.

Stormzy - Rise Up: the #Merky story so far. I went for a tone change with this book and I’m also trying to expand the type of non fiction I’m reading. Rise Up is written in four parts and the story constructed through a series of interview with the Merky team. Piecing all the points of view together gives a solid understanding of what makes this group of people successful, where they came from and how their experiences have created a really strong outfit.

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang - Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less. I liked this book to a point. The topics it covered such as sleep, naps, sabbaticals and how these rest periods can have a positive impact on our lives and creativity were all insightful. Pang uses a tonne of info each chapter to help highlight his arguments but they verge on list like and repetitive. After a while I struggled to absorb each example in order to get to the real point being made. What Rest did achieve was highlighting that the current culture of overworking is new and does not have any historical grounding.

I hope you’re reading something immersive and fun. Check back next month for Augusts reading list.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

Bullet Journal x Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2 Review.

The newest Bullet Journal x Leuchtturm1917 collaboration notebook holds a few upgrades to the first edition. You have all the usual features - a debossed front cover, hardback with elastic closure, dot grid internals, back pocket and the very useful three bookmarks. The Edition 2 does introduce a few extras all around the theme of saving you time to make this notebook a bullet journalers friend.

Edition 2 features.

Grid guide - the inside front cover is essentially a cheat sheet for all the ways you can carve up a single page. It also includes the number of horizontal and vertical bullets per page to assist in the design process, plus it looks pretty good. This is a good use of the inside cover giving you handy information and does mean you don’t have to create one of these spreads yourself.

Page markers - there are these subtle extra bullets to help you split your page into half or thirds and they appear on every single page. A simple, quick use feature.

Number of Pages - this edition has 206 pages. This is comparable number to other branded notebooks you may use for a bullet journal but for some reason it feels bulky.

Pre-printed pages - From pages 2-11 there are pre-printed sections that include the Key, Intentions, Index and Future Log which are staples of most bullet journals. If you don’t use these pages and don’t want to waste the space they are subtle enough to ignore.

Pocket Guide - this seems to be aimed at bullet journal novices or newbies. It outlines how to use a bullet journal in a simple and basic format, sort of a primer for Ryder Carrolls book on the subject.

Stickers - there are some stickers included with this edition, with the same gold foiling that you find on the inside cover.

Using the Bullet Journal x Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2.

This notebook was out of stock for a long time so when it finally arrived back I snapped one up. When it arrived however I immediately knew I wouldn’t like using this notebook. It was a complete FOMO / influenced purchase that wasn’t exactly cheap (€25). If I was choosing a dedicated bullet journal to use this wouldn’t be my top choice for a number of reasons.

it’s too bulky. A slimmer notebook is easier to write in but also if you get bored and want to try something different you’re not committed. It’s also more portable which is important for me as this isn’t my primary notebook.

the margins are very wide and it feels like I am losing space, which in a bullet journal with calendar style spreads is valuable. The Bullet Journal site sells this as a feature, but I would prefer the extra line of dots to use as I wish.

the price! This is one expensive notebook priced around €10 over the standard Leuchtturm1917 hardback notebooks and it’s not a justified cost. You’re paying for the branding and not a lot else.

distribution is a pain. You can only get this direct from the bullet journal site and they charge you to shipping.

The only positive I have found while using the Edition 2 is the three bookmarks which is a genuine benefit for bullet journalers. Otherwise I am stumped and don’t really see why you would pay that extra cost when a normal Leuchtturm1917 notebook costs £17 and has a few extra pages but one less bookmark.

Overall thoughts.

I am partly disappointed but also not surprised by this notebook. Bullet Journal are using Lechutturm1917 as branded merchandise and not perhaps as a partner to create a good notebook. The belly band acts as a sales tool pointing users to the Bullet Journal website, their app and where to buy Ryder Carrolls book. I struggle to find the shared values between these two companies.

Putting the brand relationship aside I think there are so many better A5 bullet journal notebook options on the market. The tiny helpful features in the Leuchtturm1917 x Bullet Journal Edition 2 don’t outweigh the cost. The price is a massive barrier of entry for new bullet journal users who may be the real target and beneficiaries of this notebook.

Really in summary my final thought is don’t get suckered into buying this notebook thinking it will elevate your bullet journaling. Use a notebook you like and if your choice is the Leuchtturm1917 stick with the standard hardback notebook and buy yourself some nice stationery accessories with the spare £10.

[thefinerpoint]

June 2021 Reading.

June has been a very hectic month for me and my reading this month is a smaller list of books.

V2: A Novel of World War II - Robert Harris. This is not the usual sort of book I would read but after hearing the novelist on a podcast I thought I would combine my interest in history with a bit of fiction. It’s a very easy book to read with a pretty simple plot that focuses on a few days of the Second World War when the Germans deployed the V2 bombs on Britain.

Human Kind - Rutger Bregman. This was the Rebel Book Clubs June book pick which prompted me to read along even though I am not a member of the club. I found this book refreshing as it looks at the kindness of humanity rather than the usual doom and gloom. I enjoy when authors dig into a topic or an idea and pick it apart which Bregman does on numerous occasions.

Transit - Rachel Cusk. This is the second book in a trilogy written by Cusk. It follows the same character from Outline but this time at home adapting to life as a single mother. I like the way Cusk digs into characters and shows their nuances and quirks while still keeping some distance from the reader.

Quite - Claudia Winkleman. This was the most enjoyable book I consumed this month. It was my audible pick with Winkleman narrating her own autobiography which only makes this book more enjoyable. Her view on numerous topics such as napping, friends and parenting are very funny. I think this is an audio book I could happily listen to again.

The Happiness Trap - Russ Harris. I read this after repeatedly seeing a podcaster recommend this book. I think it’s a great book for someone starting to explore the ideas around improving your mental health. It’s broken down into digestible chapters which makes it an easy book to read as well. One of my favourite quotes of the month came from this book which I have shared below. It's Harris's take on the Serenity Prayer.

"Develop the courage to solve those problems that can be solved, the serenity to accept those problems that can’t be solved, and the wisdom to know the difference. "  -- Russ Harris - The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living. P. 59.

The Way of Integrity - Martha Beck. I made a lot of highlights from this book and think some of these concepts could resonate for some time. Becks discussion on soul teachers that guide, speak to you and push you to take action I found particularly interesting. I have found many of my own soul teachers through books.

Look out for Julys reading run down next month.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

The Power of Habit Tracking.

I came across habit tracking when I started exploring bullet journaling. A habit tracker is a staple spread in any bullet journal and there are a whole host of ways you can design one, but in its most simplistic form you have each day on one axis and a list of desirable habits on the other. Complete a habit on a given day, mark it off. A small search on YouTube or Instagram will give you a plethora of designs on how to set one of these up.

When I read Atomic Habits by James Clear my habit tracking was elevated to a different level as I combined a hybrid of information into one spread. This took my habit tracking from interesting to useful.

There are three elements to my spread which provide me with a good amount of data on where I am every month and why I may be tracking as desired, or in some cases not.

The first element are the habits I am trying to establish such as drawing regularly, drinking more water and exercising. The second element is focused on health related items such as how often I get headaches, my blood pressure and supplements I need to take. Finally I have a sleep/mood/stress tracker with a scale of 0-10.

This trifecta of data points gives me a one page view on how I am doing. By spending a few minutes each evening tracking these habits I am able to spot patterns that could explain my mood, if I am establishing a habit, forming bad ones or whether perhaps not working towards a desired habit at all. By sticking to the same format I am able to compare month over month how I am improving.

Tracking a set of desirable habits has helped me to focus my attention on those things I want to improve or do more of. Rather that wishing to meditate each day, by having this added into the habit tracker I am making myself accountable to do it. I am less likely to forget to do the habit but also it affirms whether its really a habit I want to do. If I go a whole month without ticking the habit off then perhaps it’s not a habit I am that I believe in. The goal is not to complete everything each day, but to be consistent and regular in my habits. I can also use this to make small 1% changes which help to drive me towards a larger goal.

Habit tracking can take many different formats, it can adapt as you need it to, but as a tool and practice I find myself coming back to this again and again when I need to focus and gain insights. I think it’s a very powerful tool to use.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

May Reading List.

In my previous post I mentioned that I was spending more of my time reading so each month I will share what I have been reading with some of my thoughts on each of book. So for the first post of this style, here are the books I read in May.

The Seekers Guide - Elizabeth Lesser. I bought this book after listening to one of Brené Browns podcasts and it was on my ‘to read’ list for some time. It’s a bit intense with in-depth spiritual and religious ideas.

Empireland - Sathnam Sanghera. Sanghera’s take on the lasting impact of Empire on our every day life was really interesting. As he highlights throughout the book our school system here in the UK does not cover Empires and therefore leaves us ignorant of how this has permeated our thoughts, ideas and governance. A short read and well worth it.

Letter to my Daughter - Maya Angelou. I read this very quickly in part because of its short chapters and ideas, but also because anything written by Maya Angelou feels like she is talking directing to you. I am always surprised by her ability to simplify big ideas. This feels like a book I will dip in and out of regularly.

The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank. I had tried to read this book as a teenager and gave up. I wanted to give it another try and educate myself a little on the Frank families struggle while they were living in hiding. It was illuminating and I was surprised at times that the typical growing up issues still worried Anne despite her life threatening circumstances. The abrupt ending shocked me highlighting the speed at which the family were discovered and taken to the death camps.

Burnout - Emily and Amelia Nagoski This one was a bit of a surprise and probably the best book I read last month. It’s aimed at women, but I think there are big ideas in this book that are helpful regardless of your gender. Another Brené Brown podcast suggestion and a book I think I will be gifting to people. There are ideas to use and take away, things to get you thinking about how you live and work. A book that makes you question your own actions is always a goody.

Good Vibes, Good Life - Vex King. This was a gift from someone at Christmas and it fits that bracket. The book is fine, but not something I would particularly recommend. For the ‘self-help’ and ‘personal development’ category I think there are books that are far superior to this one.

On the Shortness of Life - Seneca. I enjoyed this book. It’s short and simple but there are some great ideas that despite being written thousands of years ago are so relevant to people’s existing circumstances. I imagine this will be a book I reference and continue to find inspiration from.

We are not in the World - Conor O’Callaghan. This was my audiobook this month and the only novel. It’s an interesting story about a father and daughter spending time together while he drives across Europe. I always enjoy Irish authors because of their style and humour. The narrator on this audiobook was also great.

When things fall apart - Pema Chodron. The final book I managed to squeeze in this month is a simple book with big ideas broken down into short chapters discussing different themes. Buddhism and spirituality are the backbone to this book and like some other books I read this month I enjoy these books as they make you think differently and consider ideas from another angle.

Look out for Junes reading list run down next month.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

Blog Reset.

The Finer Point has somehow reached the six year milestone and during this time the blog has had small changes in style and content, but lately it has felt a bit tired. When I started The Finer Point I wanted to explore all the different stationery I could get my hands on. It was about quantity and a desire for pure acquisition as I worked out what I enjoyed using.

Today I have found a groove with what I like to use and how my analogue tools fit into my life. The content I get the most value from online is based on peoples individual usage and experience with their analogue tools. I have been reflecting on this and the changes that I have undergone as a person so I have decided to redefine The Finer Point and what this little area of the internet will be.

This will no longer be primarily a stationery review site. The Finer Point will explore my use of analogue tools and how they provide me with sanity in a very busy world. I will share what I am using and my journey with them. Reviews will still play a part here when they feel relevant.

To go with this reset I have also given the site a visual refresh. I hope you will continue to visit this space and enjoy the content here. I have some exciting posts planned in the coming weeks.

Jenny.

[thefinerpoint]

Signs of Spring.

Here in the UK we have been in Lockdown 2.0 officially since the start of the year (I disregard the November 2020 lockdown as this wasn’t a true lockdown). It has been in some ways easier this time round, in some ways harder. The time of year means it’s greyer, wetter and the days feel longer and more isolated. The pressures of balancing everything are also greater and this time round we have a small person who requires homeschooling. Within this it’s been tough to pay too much attention to the extras, such as the blog, and I have missed spending time here. I do however have a few updates to share. My 2021 planner set-up has been 75% successful so far. The addition of the Midori B6 Slim planner as a *cultural* planner is going well. (I have find a suitable name for it.) I am enjoying having a dedicated book to write down things I read, listen to and watch. Tracking this information for the past few weeks has felt easy.

The unsuccessful portion of this has been the Hobonichi Techo. My daily drawing habit hasn't come off so far as I struggle to find the time within the day, but more than anything the motivation. I feel fried once the day is done and as this isn’t a defined habit yet the effort required is high. I plan to change where I keep the planner in the hope that having it more visible will encourage me to use it. There is a second reason I haven’t used the Hobonichi properly. I have been doing a [Sketching Now](https://sketchingnow.com) course run by Liz Steel since the start of January which has been great, but consuming my attention. I am creating 2-3 spreads each week using the course content and trying to improve my drawing and sketchbook design. This course has been really fun so far, I am learning a lot but its also given me something outside of the routine, the work, schooling, that’s mine alone to work on. It’s an escape.

In the coming weeks I plan on having some new content to share from product reviews and usage updates. Today’s post is a small update to let you know what I’ve been up to.

[thefinerpoint]

2021 Planner Set Up.

I am really late with my 2021 planner set up post this year. Like most people I am struggling to muster the energy to do normal things. I bought everything from The Journal Shop this year, pre-ordering the items I wanted. I am becoming very set in the style of planners I use and how I use them, but as I do most years I added something else in there to mix things up and experiment a little.

As usual this post is a little long so you may want to grab a tea.

Midori 2021 Planner - B6 Slim.

This is the experiment for the year and could be a keeper (not that I have high hopes or anything). The Midori 2021 planner has a few pre-printed pages that categorise this a planner. The first two pages show the year at a glance, you get 2021 on the left hand page and 2022 on the right.

Then you move into monthly views starting with Dec 2020 and ending with January 2022. The aesthetic of this notebook in completely minimal. The calendar doesn't dominate the spread, but gives you plenty of margin room to doodle, add notes or decorate.

And that’s it, after this you have lined paper with a handful of blank pages at the end of the planner. The idea with the lined pages is there are eight sections, each section highlighted with a slightly bolder ruled line. There is one section per day, all equal in size and then one spare section for notes. There is one orange bookmark with this planner and a few stickers to mark the year or to write some basic information on. I have added a clear plastic cover to add a bit of additional protection.

The purpose of this planner is to record cultural things. Thoughts on books I am reading, quotes I have come across and want to remember, interesting tidbits from podcasts. I consume in numerous different ways like most people, but I want to find somewhere that is dedicated to capturing this information. A planner serves this purpose well, rather than scattered through various notebooks. It becomes a marker and a reminder of my year in a different way to be kept and stored for future reference. Knowing I found a quote on a given year, at a particular time can only add more context and perhaps help to signify why something resonated with me even more.

Hobonichi Weeks.

This is my third year using this small and functional planner. The Hobonichi Weeks is the planner that is very similar to what I would have used many moons ago but you get all the Japanese goodness and flourishes that you can’t buy anywhere else. I was on the hunt for the Bow & Tie: Campsite version but this was, and still is, out of stock. Instead I went for the Cherry Blossom edition as the colour seemed nice and it contrasted the green I have been using this year. I have a clear cover which I have used for three years and it’s still holding up well.

My use is very simple. I put appointments in here and track all the things that dominate the day to day. Monthly calendars hold all the upcoming appointments, school term times, anniversaries, birthdays etc. Usually on a Sunday I sit down and write out the next weeks tasks on the weekly pages. This helps my mind engage with what’s coming up and plan ahead. I use the right hand side to write down any tasks for the week I need to remember. There is nothing fun or fancy in here, this is purely functional and organisational. I've used the Weeks like this for years now and it works perfectly.

Hobonichi Techo English Edition.

This is new for 2021, but not new to me. I decided to try this out again as I enjoy the tomoe river paper and the smaller size should be able to fill out each day. My plans for this aren’t that fleshed out, but the idea is to capture something from my day using less words and more drawings, doodles and cartoon style imagery. I think after 365 days this could be a really interesting thing to look back on.

Travelers Company Weekly + Memo Refill.

I have used this insert now for years and it is by far my favourite. I get to use fountain pens, I decorate...sometimes, using washi, stickers, pens etc. And I record all the small things.

Over the years I have adapted and added a few things, one being a weekly gratitude area on the notes side of the page where I jot down things that I should be/am grateful for. In 2020 this was definitely needed and helped to reduce anxiety and ground myself.

At the front of this notebook where you get the month views, I write down what I read, watch and learn. For the books I put a start and end date, same if I watch a TV series. Anything learned could be a Skillshare course, an interesting online learning I have had to do. I then note at the top of each month how many of each I have done. I really like this monthly overview and it has promoted my idea to have a dedicated planner for this sort of information, expanding on it a little more.

Overall thoughts.

As usual this feels like a lot of planners, but they all serve a purpose for me. The Hobonichi Techo is the planner that will require a little thought and so may be a harder commitment. The other three on this list are either tried and tested, being fully fledged habits now, or so simple I can’t see it being a problem.

I would like to be positive and hope that 2021 holds more hope than 2020 did, but I think it'll be much more of the same. Waves of increased Covid-19 cases leading to lockdowns, school closures and increased pressures on people. My planners give me a base and somewhere to come back to. My 2020 planners show those first waves of lockdown, highlight the sense of fear, the stress of working and combining childcare, the moments of loneliness. But they also show me what films I have enjoyed, my book choices at different times tell their own story and in 2020 I read far more than any other year. They are small highlights of my year, the things I have achieved that could otherwise have been forgotten in a year that has been hard.

[thefinerpoint]

The Stationer Work Book Review.

The Stationer Work Book was sent to me as a sample for the purpose of reviewing here on The Finer Point. All the thoughts in this review are my own.

When Tessa emailed to ask if I would like to test run her self produced Work Book I gladly agreed. As a lover of paper I have had fleeting thoughts about creating a notebook myself and I admire Tessa a lot for doing this.

The Stationer Work Book is an A5 exercise (or composition) notebook. The cover has a thick paper stock in an off white and there is some beautiful risograph print on the front in lovely bold contrasting colours. The slight cross over of the colours on the ‘T’ may not be a design choice but I really like the look.

I have the ruled notebook which I often prefer when I am journaling. The Work Book is hand stitched with threads of very similar colours to the riso print on the font cover.

Finally the paper is recycled or FSC approved which is a nice touch.

First impressions.

Honestly I was surprised by the quality when I opened the package. The Work Book is sturdier than I had expected, the cover has a good weight (270gsm) to give it the feeling that it is in fact protecting the notebook and to give it a substantial feeling in hand.

The second surprising element was that the printed grid lines weren't too dark. Past experience has taught me on smaller productions of notebooks this part of the notebook can be overlooked, but it’s often the more important part of the design. You want the grid to guide, not impose and the Work Book has just the right grey tone for its lines.

Paper quality.

I have tried a few different pens and pencils out on this paper to see how the mix of recycled and FSC stock held up. You can see the recycled elements in some of the pages, but the paper it smooth to the touch which means it handles different writing materials well.

Fountain pens with varying thicknesses worked well. Even though the paper stock is 50% recycled material there was no feathering.

Personally the ruled lines are a little too close together, but this is purely due to my big loopy writing. I prefer a notebook with a little extra space.

Overall thoughts.

This is a very nice notebook. I believe this is the second batch that The Stationer has produced and the signs are really promising. In some ways I think it’s like the Mark + Fold exercise book. Similar in size, strong paper stock and not too overdone. Tessa has created a simple, yet very well thought through notebook.

Thank you to The Stationer for providing me with a sample of this notebook to review on the blog.

[thefinerpoint]

An Influx of Stationery.

Over the years I have reduced down the amount of stationery I buy and lately I have had a bit of a drought. I have settled into using what I like and finding my groove. This past month however I have had a little influx of stationery come in all at once. Some planned, others a bit of a surprise.

Pens.

My Pen Addict Retro 51 Collectors edition pen arrived. It got here much sooner than I had expected, in a rather large package with pen and poster. I only have two Retro 51 pens and as the company is closing I wanted to take my chance to get one of the final limited editions and support the Pen Addict. It’s a nice design on the pen, my personal favourite finial icons is number 7 - Tiki Kona and number 26 - Buzz.

The second pen I bought is a birthday present to myself. I have thought about doing this a lot in the past. As there is no other pen addict in my life, the possibility of receiving a pen I really want in the ideal specifications is slim. My birthday present this year is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim (Sapporo) Shikiori Japanese Fairy Tale - Dragon Palace. I completely fell for the mint green colour. It has a medium-fine nib, something that was not optional. The colour is unusual for a fountain pen and Sailor pens are always a pleasure to write with.

The final pen addition is the Pilot Custom 74 in Burgundy. I got this in a medium as I have really enjoyed using a wider nib in my Custom Heritage 92. It’s nice to sometimes write with a broader nibbed fountain pen and enjoy the ink flow on the page.

Paper.

I had a restock of the Day One Journal from Baron Fig as this has been an essential part of my work organisation. I doubled up to reduce the risk of custom charges and to have a bit of stock. I also bought a big fig which I have enjoyed journaling in in the past.

Drawing.

I have been working my way through the Hand Book Journal square sketchbook which has been a great size. I have been using this intermittently but then having spurts where I draw a lot in a short period of time. I have been playing with Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils which has been fun, although my attempts with these pencils are very childlike. Otherwise a black pen in varying thicknesses is my go to.

For me there is something very calming about using a sketchbook and taking some time out to draw, to practice but also to have fun. I am taking part in Inktober this year to challenge how imaginative I can be, to experiment and to take part.

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Life.

I have been reading at home and finding this a great escape from work pressures. I can escape into a book in a way I cannot do through other things. It seems to be the only thing that doesn't have me mindlessly reaching for my phone and scrolling social media. My latest books are Matt Haig - The Midnight Library, Brene Brown - Dare to Lead, Victoria Hislop - The Island, Madeline Miller - Circe and Colson Whitehead - The Nickle Boys.

I have also been trying to push myself physically in a state of semi lockdown and thought I would try my hand a jogging. I have been using the couch to 5K running app to help me through this. Sarah Milligan makes a wonderful coach.

[thefinerpoint]

Baron Fig Do Work Journal Review.

Baron Fig kindly sent me a copy of their Do Work Journal to review here on the blog. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

I have been using the Baron Fig Do Work Journal at my jobby job for the past few months and I decided to do an impromptu video review. It felt a little easier to walk through my thoughts rather than write it all down here. So below you will find the full video review, I love YouTubes choice of thumbnail for it.

Brief Summary.

I have really enjoyed using the Do Work Journal and I think overall the structure works really well to keep you organised and on top of tasks. I have been using the Do Work Journal each day alongside Todoist to keep track of my short and long term tasks. There are some interesting quirks but on the whole the design and set-up of the Do Work Journal is very good.

Of all the Baron Fig Journals this has been by far the most beneficial one for me.

Thank you to Baron Fig for sharing this product with me and allowing me to test and review their product.

[thefinerpoint]

Baron Fig Adrift Squire Pen Review

Baron Fig kindly sent me their Adrift Squire pen to review. I would like to thank Baron Fig, and also point out that everything I share here is my own point of view.

The Adrift pen is Baron Figs latest limited edition take on the Squire pen. The nautical theme is quite charming and the familiar Squire pen packaging works perfectly with this design. This is my third Squire pen and this edition is one of my favourites. The bright blue colour, the simple thick lined nautical images printed across the pen are all well done.

Other than the aesthetics of the Adrift pen, everything else about the Squire remains the same. The pen is a good length and has a solid feel due to its aluminium body. It’s easy to write with for long periods of time and nice to hold. The tapered shape helps with this a lot. There's also no cap, so nothing to lose or misplace.

The Squire uses the popular Schmidt refill which has a solid thick line and good ink flow. It ships with a fine refill which helps to set this apart from other premium pens. A smooth, fine line.

My one criticism with this pen is the twist mechanism which can be a bit tricky to use. I sometimes end up unscrewing the cap rather than just bringing the pen out. It’s very easy to do.

Whether the Adrift is your style the Squire pen is a solid pen and always a great writer. There are plenty of options available from Baron Fig.

Thank you again to Baron Fig for sending me their Adrift Squire pen to review here at The Finer Point.

[thefinerpoint]

Fountain Pens.

I have always enjoyed using my fountain pens because they feel special and it’s the complete opposite of how I spend most of my day on digital devices. I choose my notebooks and paper specifically around maximising their use. I have several of the essential fountain pens that many people here would know of and probably own. They are my most used and I keep them feeling fresh by changing the ink combinations.

It was only recently that I added a TWSBI Eco to my fountain pen collection. Until recently I had not used this pen despite its praise among users. The TWSBI Eco gives you a piston filling mechanism, is a full sized pen with a great nib and comes in a lot of different colours. I bought the blossom red pen which I had been drawn to for some time. I went for a fine nib as this is usually my preference and at the moment I am using it with Robert Osters Summer Storm, because the combination felt right.

A second recent-ish purchase was the Lamy Safari 2020 limited edition in Mango. I am a sucker for yellow things so I couldn't pass up this limited edition. The playful, pastel colours that Lamy have released over the past two years on the Safari are really nice and totally my vibe.

The Safari is a great pen and probably the one I would recommend to any new fountain pen person. I like that the 2020 limited editions have matching colour pen clip so with the Mango you have full yellow. I have this inked up with the Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-gao that has beautiful shading and the colour contrast is a nice little pop.

These two new additions are sat on my desk alongside a couple of Kaweco Sports, a Zebra Sarasa Clip in the Vintage blue-grey and a thick Pentel Sign Pen. I tend to rotate through these pens when I am journaling or jotting down some notes. None of these pens are particularly expensive in relation to other fountain pens but they are the ones I find myself gravitating to the most. It’s not a bad team.

[thefinerpoint]

Notebooks over chaos.

It has been a very busy time here in our household over the past month as life is slowly changing to something resembling normal. Working life is very busy and family challenges have meant we are all feeling a little drained.

At times like this I find my routine of daily journaling and organisation extremely helpful providing that sense of security and control.

I have moved away from using multiple Field Notes memo books as the desire to use them all up has begun to feel like a chore. I haven’t been able to use other notebooks that I have liked as much, so I have parked that quest for the moment and decided to come back to it later on.

I dug out the Baron Fig Grow journal and started using this at the end of each day to unload my thoughts. This small one page per day is just enough not feel overwhelming, but good enough to brain dump onto the page. I like some of the meta data points as you can see general pattern in mood, or the sort of entries you are making. I find this kind of information very interesting.

To keep myself organised at work I have been using the Baron Fig Do Work journal which almost feels like a bullet journal style organisation tool. My work load has been through the roof lately and having this system means I can plan out my week, prioritise the big tasks, see what my week looks like and then go on to plan my days. I will be writing a full review of this journal soon, but combined with Todoist, this notebook has been very helpful lately.

I have also adjusted my habit tracking after randomly finding a video on YouTube that showed a very (buzz word alert) minimal spread. Tracking not only habits but also overlaying sleep, mood and stress levels again is quite insightful. I think if you have a few months of this data it could be eye opening.

With all of this I have been using fountain pens and inks a lot more which I hadn't done for some time. I had almost forgotten how satisfying writing with a pen in this way could be.

[thefinerpoint]

Creating a drawing habit.

For a while I have wanted to draw and grappled with the various procrastination and insecure ideas that I couldn’t, that I didn't know what to draw and couldn't figure out where to start. There are a few common responses to these concerns, that although are said frequently, sometimes need to sink in when you’re ready to hear them. They can be:

Draw everyday.

The only way to get better is to practice.

Your sketchbook doesn’t need to be perfect.

One of my 2020 themes was the ‘Year of Creativity’ and part of this was the idea that 2020 would be the 366 day drawing project. I started simply, just a Field Notes book with the added incentive of consuming what I had and using something familiar. I have dated each day with the idea I should be able to show some sort of progression over time.

Drawing everyday hasn't happened. In the middle of a pandemic and heightened living situations juggling work and family, the inspiration to draw fell away.

However I am drawing more than I ever have. And turns out I have dabbled more than I realised as I looked back over used notebooks.

There are some things that I wasn’t expecting within the 366 day drawing challenge. I have drawn people a lot partially as we’re stuck as home but also from admiring artists such as Pat Vale and realising it doesn’t need to be a realistic interpretation of human anatomy. Many of my sketches have taken place during dull conference calls where I have had plenty of different faces to examine and plenty of time on my hands.

I have paid more attention to artists and explored ways in which I can learn from them. A few simple tutorials from artists I admire such as Marloes de Vries have helped me to simplify what I am drawing and not look to draw exactly what I see. I have been trying to see the shapes and break everything down into their parts. Fran Mendes YouTube channel and discussions on ugly sketchbooks have again given me some ideas and more confidence to explore.

Colour is my next focus and I have now switched to a Hand Journal square sketchbook. I have a few coloured pencils, some coloured markers and watercolours. I want to experiment and explore how to use colour and make marks on the page. Emma Carlisle has opened this up for me and given me the nudge I needed to explore this.

Drawing regardless of perceived goodness is fun and gives my brain a way to wind down. I get to try things out, experiment with stationery I have bought over the years and satisfy that side that is not regimented and driven by work and life. There are a few snapshots in here of some of my drawings to share and hopefully make the whole process look a little more learned.

Artists I have found inspiration from include:

Mimi Chao

Emma Carlisle

Marloes de Vries

Fran Mendes

Pat Vale

Mike Lowery

Liz Steel

[thefinerpoint]

Pilot Custom Heritage 92 Review.

I don’t own many mid range fountain pens as its hard to justify the cost in and around the necessities, however when I can I will indulge in a higher priced fountain pen. Because these are rare purchases for me there is a lot of deliberation! I think a lot about the type of pen, the brand, the nib size, the design.

A little over a year ago I treated myself to the Pilot Custom Heritage 92. For a long time I had been intrigued by this fountain pen and in particular the blue translucent version. I wanted a classic fountain pen, rather than a limited edition or something completely random from a niche brand. I was looking for a pen I could love in the long term. This buying decision was reinforced by a post from The Gentleman Stationer.

The pens details.

The Pilot Custom Heritage 92 is considered a classic fountain pen. I managed to get hold of the blue translucent version which comes with chrome furniture. The top and bottom of the pen have a black translucent material that is squared off. There is a thick chrome ring around the pen cap that has the pens name engraved on it.

The cap screws on to the body which I appreciate especially at this price range as it makes everything feel a little bit more secure.

The nib is what helps to set the Custom 92 apart from an entry level Pilot fountain pen. The nib is gold but rhodium plated to match the chrome furniture. The gold material gives the nib added flex and a smoother feel on the page. I went for a medium nib which writes beautifully gliding over the paper. I really enjoy using this pen when I have a lot of writing to do, it’s a total dream.The detailing on the nib is very intricate and beautiful.

The Pilot Custom Heritage 92 has a piston filling mechanism. As the barrel is translucent you get to see the mechanism and how this all works, while also knowing your ink level. I have kept this inked with Sailor Blue Black which is one of my personal favourite but also feels like the perfect pairing for this pen.

Overall thoughts.

I have had this inked for a year, with the same ink colour, and use it frequently. It’s a great pen to use for periods of long writing as the ink flows wonderfully and the medium gold nib has a luxurious feel.

I am pleased I went with a classic and timeless fountain pen. I would have been pulled back to this fountain pen over and over if I hadn’t bought it. The size is great, its not too heavy and it holds a good amount of ink.