Sainsbury's stationery haul

Last weekend I caught wind that there was some rather lovely stationery being stocked in Sainsbury's of all places, so off I went, fully expecting that my local store wouldn't have any of the lovely goodies I'd been seeing online. Low and behold they actually had some and I swiped it all off the shelves immediately and headed to the checkout.

I have to admit I didn't need any stationery at all but as I was discussing with Vince recently, there's just something about stationery that gives you inspiration and the motivation you need to get on with writing/drawing etc. Pretty notebookes, clean notepads, pencils that all look new and perfect just have something about them - it gives me a bit of a back to school feeling as I always loved buying new stationery for the new term but instead of stuffing all of this in a backpack and in a pencil case, in stead it's sitting proudly on my 'blogging desk' looking pretty as a picture. They also make fab blog photo props so that was my excuse for purchasing everything!

The range of stationery I picked up is called The Impressionist range and is full of pretty patterned/green and pink bits and pieces. I got myself the notecards and envelope set, which are seriously cute. I also got a pack of three exercise books in pink, purple and mint green with gorgeous gold detailing and a set of three super pretty washi tape rolls in a gorgeous flowery pattern, a glittery gold and pink.

I think my ultimate favourite item is the box of pencils. They're just so pretty in white and pink and each one with Daydreamer written on the end. Gorgeous! The dreams and wishes notebook is so pretty I almost don't want to write in it and ruin it!

There's a few other bits and pieces in the range such as desk planners and files, but unfortunately I couldn't find them, I may need another trip to see if the shelves have been restocked.

Have you checked out the Impressionist stationery range at Sainsburys yet? Let me know in the comments!

March #Paperhaul Subscription Box

Quite an image heavy post today but that's only because I couldn't not photograph absolutely everything in the #Paperhaul March subscription box*. I've had my fair share of beauty boxes in the past, which have all been great, but stationery based boxes are always so much fun.

Each box features a different illustrator each month. Last month was the fab Jemma at Dorkface blog, which I'm sad to have missed out on, however this month's box features the equally talented Jodie Goolding, whose work is based around adult colouring. All of the illustrations, ranging from cards, notebooks and postcards could be coloured in if you fancied, just make sure you have the right sort of pens!

As well as the notebooks, postcards and illustrations there was also a super cute washi tape, which I absolutely love, as well as some stickers and even greetings cards. There is really something for everyone. I personally can use the notebook and cards, maybe even send a postcard or too and my niece and nephew could make good use of the stickers. The washi tape is going straight into my blog photo prop box!

At £10 a month this is a fab subscription box, with a great opportunity for subscribers to discover new, really talented artists. The range of goodies that come with the box is great too and you really get a good amount for your money. Definitely one I'd recommend stationery addicts sign up to.

Have you tried the #Paperhaul subscription box? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

*This post contains a PR sample.

TK Maxx Stationery Haul

I thought I'd do something a bit different today and post about my recent mini stationery haul from TK Maxx. I was actually only in there in order to peruse the beauty section but nothing was really catching my eye so I took a little wander around the rest of the store. I knew there had been notebooks in stock before but now the section has really grown to incorporate lots of books, crafts and even calendars.

I was actually in my element while browsing the shelves. Probably only my mum knows about my love for calendars as I ask for one every Christmas (Hey Mum - I still want one for Christmas ok, the one in this post is just for photographing purposes), but since I've started blogging I've discovered a new use for them...photograph backrounds! Floral/pretty calendars make great photo backgrounds for products so I picked up one by Caroline Gardner (no idea either!), which is full of pretty flowers and quotes. This one is perfect because it's light, bright and colourful but with enough room for placing products on.

I had a bit of a meltdown over the notebooks. There were so many pretty ones that I had to force myself to put some back otherwise I would have been in for a shock at the till. To be honest, I don't actually need anymore notebooks (who ever does?) but the two I chose were too pretty to pass up. The minty green one actually has a little note section and then peel off sticky notes on the other side - a stationery nerd's dream and not only do these work as notebooks but they're also good for blog photos as well - you can pop products on them to add a bit of height or just use them as something pretty in the background.

Really this shopping trip had two purposes, not just to fulfil my stationery desires but the items also double as blog photo backgrounds so I'd say all in all this was a pretty successful haul. What do you think?

Waterstones Stationery Haul

I might be 26 (nearly 27, no!) but I still get the urge to buy pretty, pretty stationery. I don't know if it's because of the time of year and all the shops are pushing their 'back to school' lines of notebooks, pretty pens and pencil cases, but today while I was in town something sort of took over and led me to the stationery stand, in Waterstones of all places.

As I milled around Wilkinsons I was really disappointed by the lack of stationery that wasn't too childish. The same went for WH Smith, all full of silly characters and not very grown up at all. Waterstones on the other hand have some lovely bits, of which I grabbed just a few. There's so much to choose from, I had to stay very far away from the Orla Kiely notebooks but happily browsed the little tables of to-do lists, pens and notebooks of all shapes and sizes.

I came away very happily with the above, which isn't really much but my bank account was kind of restricting and pay day isn't until next week so I think I did pretty well. I've noticed stationery these days is much more than just notebooks and pens, these days you get to do lists and entire books dedicated to list making, colouring books for adults, organisers, the list goes on!

You could say I didn't really need any of this as I'm not going back to school or Uni but I thought of it as a sort of back to work on Monday sort of treat. Also, the fact I've just got a brand new, shiny desk for my blogging is a good excuse!

Do you ever get the urge to buy new stationery? Let me know in the comments what you've bought recently.