It is a strange truth that the more digital everything is, the more attached I am to paper and pens. I’m not some sort of purposefully analogue dingbat – modernise or die! – but sometimes I just can’t think unless I’m writing something down with paper and pen, specifically, shopping lists and events.
So I have got everywhere little scraps of paper with, e.g., “nappies, Sudafed, milk, fish fingers” written on it in running-out biro. It’s not practical – I lose my lists all the time – but it somehow makes it all real.
And I do not have my diary on my phone like a normal person. I just can’t get my head round it. I hate having a diary on my phone. I am blessed with a strong visual memory (though zero spatial awareness or sense of direction) so I can pretty much close my eyes and visualise what the week looks like on my wall planner. I know there’s something there on Thursday night, even if I don’t know exactly what it is.
This is also not practical – I am often wrong.
And yet… and yet and yet I am drawn again and again to paper products. I stumbled across Kikki K the other day and was struck by how extremely lovely it all is – it fills a gap between Paperchase and Smythson. It’s a Swedish company (I feel we’re still a long way from peak Scandi) and everything is just so. It’s not just stationery, there are lovely work bags on there too, mugs, phone cases and other cute stuff. Some people might think too cute at times but I choose to suspend my cynicism with regards to this, and embrace the cute.
Here are a few of my favourites:
Yes, I too need lists and can’t operate a diary on my phone, much to the frustration of my husband. Pens and paper! I am a total stationary addict.
When we lived in Oz, I would go and wander round the Kikki K store in a post natal depression haze. Everything was so happy, ordered, perfect, it was wonderful therapy. I felt if only I could afford to buy half the contents of the store it would change my life. But I couldn’t because Australia is so bastard expensive. That store is the only thing I miss about Oz 😂😂
Kikki K is Aussie (owner is Swedish) and we love it here! Every season brings new themes and colour palettes. Some of it is twee, but there are some brilliantly lovely things & the family planner calendars keep me sane(ish). Super cute greeting cards too. Enjoy!
My other half has an electronic calendar on his phone and claims it it better than my paper diary because it’s easy and efficient. He is unable to explain its ease or efficiency when I ask him if he is free on a particular date and he starts stabbing endlessly on his phone saying, ‘Hang on. Hang on. Oh, I’m in the wrong month. Hang on. Yes, here it is. No! Wrong week. Argh, I’ve pressed the wrong button. When did you say?’ and so on, whilst I am sitting with my paper diary open, waiting, for ages. Oh, and the fuss if he has to access his phone diary whilst actually ON the phone.
absolutely love this
I was asked the other day why I wasn’t a digital calendar person because i am obviously addicted to my phone/ipad etc. It’s exactly the same reason….I need to visualise. I need to visualise the year, the month, the week. I don’t want any surprises thanks! BE PREPARED. So with you, i find this range ADORABLE. And I am dying over that packing list. I NEED IT.
Have you heard of or considered a bullet journal?
errrrr
it’s dinner with tiff
Do you think the shopping list has a magnet on the back strong enough to hold it to the fridge for the full duration of its life? If so I’m sold. Mine always come unstuck from the pad after about a week and then there’s sellotape and clothes pegs and all manner of crapola wrapped round it with not enough room to write on and an inability to tear off top page and *gasps for breath, realises she is ranting* um, often they’re not very good. But this one looks nice.
I shall go and put my head in a paper bag now.
oh god that’s a good point I hadn’t even thought of that. my fridge is integrated – curse it – so magnets play very little part in my life
Yes – as a devotee of the Kikki K shopping list I can confirm that the magnet will go the distance
I have started taking photos of lists rather than having to remember to pick them up, I rarely leave the house without my phone
So now I have a shopping basket with £60 worth of stationery bits that I neeeeed!
My life revolves around meal planning lists, a lovely midori diary which I cart around (and is getting battered and worn out like its owner); and a family planner on the kitchen wall so I know where we are all supposed to be. I can’t be arsed with phone diaries – there is something about writing it down that helps me know it exists.
Thanks for helping me spend more money!
Total stationery addict here, I have a paper diary too, and I even go a wee bit giddy in Smiggle. I keep my paper pad shopping list next to my paper diary next to the iPhone chargers on the kitchen bench, then everything is together. I had a Kikki K wedding planner when we were living in Adelaide and it was fab (still have it all upstairs somewhere with a big rubber band around it, holding it together).