My name is Stacey and I am a stationery addict. There. I’ve said it. There’s no turning back now.
Allow me to elaborate a little.
I’m not entirely sure when the addiction began. I can’t remember when I started to be drawn to the stationery aisle in the supermarket, desperately attempting to resist the lures of a new pen, pack of post-it notes, or heaven forbid – a new notebook.
My favourite part of the year was always the back-to-school stationery shopping. New pencil cases, folders, books… New stationery has always meant a fresh start, a clean slate.
I constantly live under the illusion that a new diary will make me more organised, a new pen will brighten my day, a new notebook will improve efficiency. And don’t get me started on the ample possibilities that post-its hold.
The other day I found myself killing time in Nottingham town centre and stumbled across Paperchase, a shop I have heard of often but visited less than a handful of times.
“Can I help you?” asked the shop assistant. “No thank you”, I replied, “I’m just browsing – this may take a while.”
I proceeded to meticulously examine each and every shelf, resisting the urge to snatch one of every item and run screaming from the store. I “oohed” over the card selection, “ahhhed” at the abundance of pens of every variety and practically fainted at the notebook selection. There was even a collection themed around unicorns! Are you kidding me?
Reminding myself that I don’t have an unlimited bank balance, I carefully selected a handful of items and hurried to the checkout before I completely lost control.
“That didn’t take long” the helpful assistant pointed out.
“I have a slight stationery addiction”, I explained. “I’m getting out fast before I go over the top!”
“Well, we’re here to help with that kind of thing” she remarks.
“Help!? Surely you’re enabling my addiction”, I say.
“Would you like a loyalty card?”, she asks, “You get lots of offers, as well as a voucher on your birthday”
A voucher on my birthday? You’re speaking my language.
I take my new loyalty card and my bag of goodies and I skip out of the store.
I feel this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
To close, I thought I would share with you my mini Paperchase haul.
First on the catwalk today, this fabulous clipboard/notepad. Honestly, I have no idea what I plan to use this for, but I love it all the same. Maybe I can get a headset for when I’m organising my parties.
The next item is this multi-coloured, star list book. Yes, you heard me correctly – list book! Apparently these are now a thing. Inside you have a mini-notebook, and a selection of different-sized “To-do” post-it notes. Not entirely sure when I’ll use the “Never” post-it notes but I’m certain I can come up with something.
Aren’t these crayons adorable? We have a massive collection of crayons and the like at home, but I couldn’t resist these ones shaped as fairytale characters. I imagine the girls will be able to roleplay with them, as well as colour with them. Plus they’re really chunky, which I thought was good for Bug’s little hands.
I also picked up these cute cards. Cards with messages are so “in” right now aren’t they – you see them on all the good stationery hauls. I don’t know who these are destined for yet – it could be you!
Frankly I’m gobsmacked that I managed to be so restrained but I’m now eagerly awaiting my next birthday so I can treat myself again.
Are you a stationery addict? Where are your top places to splurge? Or do you have another quirky thing you can’t resist? Let me know in the comments below. We can form our own support group!
