All of these kitchen and dinnerwares are not quite what they seem, from cups that look like noses to traditionally paper dishware turning ceramic, these cute conversation-starters are ready to contribute to your daily eating pleasure.
Left to right, top to bottom:
Alright, so Tricia, our newest member of the Stickers & Donuts contingent, is taking a few week blogging break, but she’ll be back with more fabulous posts (and they will be fabulous!) soon. (Don’t worry, I’ll keep you entertained! There is a great three part interview coming up throughout the week & I’m very excited about it!)
But, since in many states this is the first week of school (Labor Day. Nearly. Over.), I wanted to remind you of her fantastic four part series (you can scroll through the whole thing right here!) on the best back to school buys, including:
If you’ve already been-there, done-that, then I guess you can just buy some Star Wars themed thumbdrives from Mimobot. In a way, they kind of remind me of when I used to collect themed knick-knacks from McDonalds. I almost of wish they’d ditch the drives & just sell them as toys!
1. These critters will always be hungry (just like me!). All four are extremely cute - although I have lukewarm feelings towards the frog’s sleazy white smile…it reminds me of Ross Geller’s teeth, Animal Swing-Lid Cans from The Container Store, $11.99 (Warning! Panda friend is back-ordered. The frog is too. Apparently I’m the only one who does not support the frog.)
2. I always need snacks while I work. I HATE, however, CRUMBS. Something else that I HATE: eraser boogers. I use my Staedtler latex eraser incessantly, thus my desk is always littered with eraser junk. AND THEN! The eraser junk ventures to the crevice of my book spines, which leads to me obsessing over trying to fish the boogers out with my pencil tip. Well, if you are a dork like me, you might enjoy this DESK VACUUM DISGUISED AS A ROBOT. BONUS POINTS: its arms move! Pretend it’s waving at you. Hello, robot friend!, Robo Vac Desktop Vacuum from ThinkGeek, $12.99
3. For some reason, new socks and underwear are always marketed as a back-to-school items. This has always struck me as somewhat strange. But, I immediately stop thinking about this great enigma when I stick my feet into new socks. Sock Dreams is the ultimate place to get new socks- they offer so many varieties, shipping is fast and free, prices are reasonable, and they are packaged well (last time I ordered from them, my socks were bundled with twine and had a cute little tag). I have two or three different colors of this style (it comes in 20 colors!), and wear them frequently in the winter under/over jeans. They keep your legs warm! I don’t like wearing them over my knees- I usually just bunch them down so I can stare at my sock-swollen ankles, O Basics from Sock Dreams, $6 a pair
4. I feel like this pen holder would go super well with Monday’s Nert Dart pen. Also, I am not as violent as my picks suggest, Dead Fred Pen Holder from ThinkGeek, $9.99
5. These sticky notes are silly. The “Seize the Day” option may sound ridiculous, but I used to live with someone who would write this/things like this on sticky notes. (Dear person in question: Don’t hate me; I love you!), Knock Knock “Don’t Forget To” Sticky Notes from Lula Mae, $3.25
6. Most of the time, I cringe at the sight of very busy prints. As a result, I am not a fan of LOUD backpacks. This one is lovely, simple, and grey (triple victory!), Enjoi Delivery Boy Backpack from Turntable Lab, $44
7. Clever to the max! This Klever (…that ‘K’ is QUITE necessary) staple-less stapler punches a neat little hole, which ultimately results in a clean paper bind. Oh! I can hear your “But I don’t be wanting any holes in my paper!” whines. Well. What are your feelings on that unsightly staple hole-barf that appears after you remove a staple? HMM? If you use this magical contraption, your document corners will no longer look like they were chewed up by a yeti, Dog or Cat Staple Free Stapler from Hapa Culture, $8
8. These gummi bear erasers/sharpeners look like they are Power Rangers about to be attacked by zombi gummi bears, Gummy Bear Eraser/Sharpener from See Jane Work, $2.50
9. So when I hear the word “drip,” my Family-Feud response is “nasal passage.” NOT “nose.” “Nasal passage.” I think that a nose-paper clip dispense would be the tightest desktop accessory, ever. I guess, however, that miniature sinks are cuter than miniature noses, Drip Clips Paperclip Holder from Perpetual Kid, $7.99
10. This alarm clock turns off when you shoot the target with the included laser remote. I would fail miserably at this; I have horrible vision AND bad aim. Maybe I DO really enjoy violent school supplies, Laser Target Alarm Clock from ThinkGeek, $17.99
11. A wonderful screen-printed messenger bag! Be sure to check out her other prints too! (the robots and flowers are pretty cool), Black Bird Field Bag from rainbowswirlz, $20
12. CRITTER RUBBER BANDS! I hate it when things fly at me, but if someone flung one of these at me, I’d probably exclaim, “A present from the critter fairies! HOW ADORABLE!”, Pet & Zoo Rubber Bands from See Jane Work, $7
Cue in Europe (…or Gob), because this list includes the final bits of the school supplies series. I’m sad that this is the end, but Labor Day is almost here. Thus, I’m sure I’d conjure up mad beef with people if I rattled about sweet pencil sharpeners in November.
To see other school supplies posts, click here and scroll!
1. I enjoy aquatic critters (Jellyfish are so exceptionally tight! Green Fluorescent Protein? - Score), and I believe that Steve Zissou would probably support this planner. MEGA BONUS: It comes with giant squid stickers AND matching buttons, Aquatic Adventure Weekly Planner from Bang Bang You’re Thread, $15
2. Fact: I harbor a wee fantasy to be Harriet the Spy. Necessary clarification: the cool girl on the book cover- red sweatshirt and radamataz sneakers. Definitely NOT movie-Harriet. (Michelle Trachtenberg always ruins TV shows. Dawn? Georgina? HARRUMPH!) These notebooks are perfect for sleuthing and your learning adventures! Plus, the inside cover features a special spot for you to record “pertinent coordinates.” Teehee. Measures 3.5″x5.5″, Field Notes Memo Books, $9.95 (on sale $7.46 until Aug 30)
3. “Hello. My name is Owlet and I am scared shitless of this pogo-stick.” Measures 5.75″x8.25″, Owl Pogo Journal from Patina, $8.95
4. Ahh!!@#!!! Absolutely dreamy! Illustrated by Lart Cognac Berliner, this planner features one long landscape that extends throughout the planner! Measures 7″x5″, Come Along Weekly Planner from Little Otsu, $16
5. This notebook is extra dainty and pretty (so much so that I’d be scared to write in it). Measures 4.5″x6.25″, Letterpressed Petite Journals from Figments, $16
6. I like how this notebook features a guy that is surrounded by manly things (FOREST! JEEP! MOTORCYCLE!)…but he struggles with tying his shoe. Womp womp. Measures 6″x4″, Old School Stationers Notebook from Figments, $20.95
7. Did you know that if you don’t put out your campfire, the forest mafia (on roller skates) will murder you? It’s true. Extra note!: Check out that deer. He is most definitely wearing ipod headphones. IMAGE THAT WOULD NOT OF EXISTED 10 YEARS AGO: iPoded deer. Measures 4″x6″, The Forest Roller Gang Notebook from Poketo!, $7
8. A sumptuous notebook for those who like to cut bitches. Measures 8.5″x10″, Tooks of Antiquity Journal from Poketo!, $50
9. This adorable planner is filled with lots of unconventional pages that are designed to inspire creativity and (neatly) carry your great ideas. And can’t you just imagine yourself saying, “Hold on a second. I need to get out my paper hand so I can write down your number…” Measures 5″x7″, The Non-Planner Datebook from Little Otsu, $16
This third installment of the (super) school supplies series features stellar notebooks and planners (that perfectly complement your jealous-inducing pencil case and pens). I had a (vintage) 1990s PDA (I actually still have it), and I could never get used to using it. Too fancy for me. I like having the option of drawing little doodles around my assignments, and being able to savagely cross off completed assignments.
To see other school supplies posts, click here and scroll!
1. Supposedly the world’s finest pen, I was extremely excited when I got this. And then I stupidly left it on the counter of the café I worked at and an architect snatched it up! Womp womp. It comes in 14 colors and writes surprisingly smooth (even though the tip is so tiny!), Uni-ball Signo Bit 0.18 mm Pen from JetPens, $3 each
2. Lead advance button = for old farts. Simply shake this pencil and the lead comes out! Watch it in action on YouTube!, Pilot 2020 Shaker Super Grip Pencil from JetPens, $3 each
3. I never liked erasable pens- I could never find one that wrote smoothly. This one is exceptionally magical because the ink is smooth AND thermosensitive. Rub your text with the rubber pen butt and it disappears! Plus, the name has a GIANT ‘X’…and you know everything sounds cooler with a capital X (ex: Xtreme), Pentel FriXion Erasable Pen from JetPens, $3 each
4. Hey, if you’re a crappy writer, at least your prose will smell good. Comes in three scents: Healing, Refresh, and Positive (ha!), Pentel Ain Supplio Nanotech Scented Mechanical Pencil from JetPens, $3 each
5. This is my absolute favorite pen. It comes in over 15 colors and in 0.25mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4mm tips. It never clogs, is silky smooth, and features a convenient ink barrel gauge (so you know when to get a new pen!), Pentel Slicci Pen from JetPens, $3 each
6. I used to secretly make fun of my classmates who would take notes with ten different colors of STABILO pens. And then I became one of them. Available in 25 colors!, STABILO Point 88 Pen from Dick Blick, $0.77 each
7. Do you find yourself silently cursing at those pesky finger-tapping-foot-shaking kids at the library? Psh! Be proactive! Shoot them…with the Nerf Dart Blaster Toy pen! (Side note: I have a friend who was in the aforementioned situation, and when the pest went to the bathroom, he stole the kid’s highlighters. Too bad he didn’t have a Nerf Dart pen.) PEW! PEW! PEW!, Nerf Dart Blaster Toy Pen from Amazon, $5.99 each
8. SCENARIO! You’re in class. Then you turn to the person sitting next to you and say, “Hey… soul mate. How do you feel about you…me…and some Connect Four?”, Connect Four Game Pen from Amazon, $5.99 each
9. My biggest “arrggghh” about fabric pens that I find in craft stores is that the pen tip is TOO FAT. And they BLEED. And they RUIN my artistic vision. HARRUMPH! These pens are great because they come in 0.4 mm, 0.7 mm, and 1.0 mm tip sizes, Pilot Fabric Marker Pen from Jet Pens, $1.80 each
10. I LOVE these pens. The ink dries glossy and 3-D. I received the 10 color set right before I began studying organic chemistry. After every class, I looked forward to going through my notes and underlining with these pens. I also used them to draw little arrows and electrons in my reaction mechanisms. Basically, I had the most baller and fun orgo notes ever. And I ended up doing pretty well in orgo too. Sakura Glaze Pen from Jet Pens, $3.95 for two
11. OK, I admit, the name? Negative cool points. And it kind of makes me uncomfortable. Pretend it’s named something cool…like…Silly String Pen….or Magical Moldy Growth Pen…and the pen instantaneously becomes 10x more acceptable! (Well, perhaps I’m the only one who thinks my names are super cool) Although completely impractical for any sort of schoolwork, these pens are great fun!#$!! After you write, the ink magically puffs up. Your words will transform into popcorny letters. Or at least look like E.coli that has been inoculating on super agar at an optimal temperature, Dong-A Popcorn Puffy Paint Pen from JetPens, $1.20 each
12. For the indecisive color-lover who loves to doodle. And oh man. Oh. Man. In addition to some rad packaging (Both the words “magic” AND “crazy” appear on the package), the pencils come in the following colors: “Original,” “Tropical,” “Neon”….and….wait for it……”AMERICAN & FIRE” (!@#!!!) I have always wanted to doodle with an “American & Fire” pencil, Koh-I-Noor Magic FX Pencil from PencilLovers, $12.05 for a set of 5
13. Remember when Pentel Milky pens were super popular (on the fad timeline it was right around Casio Baby-G watches and Smash Mouth)? These are like Milky pens 2.0 – the colors are more vibrant, the barrel is beefier, and they can write on many surfaces, Pilot Latte from JetPens, $1.80 each
Now that you possess a glorious new pencil trap, it’s time to start filling it with some pens and pencils. Although new Ticonderogas and Uni-ball Micros are great, these pens are amazing!!! I am obsessed with extra fine tipped writing utensils. As you can see, JetPens is my FAVORITE place to get new pens!!! I love an extra fine tip pen (my preferred tip size is 0.28mm), and there are very few retailers (in the US) that sell that size!
Extra note: For those of you who are really into pens, I recommend that you check out The Pen Addict. It is the ultimate online authority on pens, and is packed with product reviews.
To see other school supplies posts, click here!
1. Two tofu cubes that will guard your pencils with a smile, Phoophile Kawaii Shop, $16.75
2. Pigs that defy gravity (ps- THEIR SNOUTS ARE UPSIDE DOWN HEARTS! gasp.gasp.heart palpitations.), Rohmer, $16
3. Reminds me of Richard Scarry’s Busytown and various anthropomorphic critters (Lowly Worm is my favorite! What a sad belittling name for a worm that can drive an apple car…mad skills), San-X Sweet Street Pen Case from One Good Bumblebee, $13.50
4. Squeaky and classic, Pottery Barn Kids, $9.50
5. I want to be a hedgehog in love. Womp Womp, LeSportSac Hedgehog Case from Karmaloop, $23
6. Too cute! Wooden slide-y pencil case, The Small Object, $12
7. Zipped up, this case looks pretty conventional. BUT! UNzipped, it magically transforms into a standing pencil holder. So, basically, it is the alpha pencil case. Imagine all the “sweet pencil case” comments you’ll get at the library, when you have THIS displayed on your desk. Watch it in action on YouTube!, JetPens, $12.99
8. This past year has been a good year for robots. Flight of the Conchords. Wall-E. A talking Roomba. Keep the robot celebrations alive with a robot pencil case, Rohmer, $16
9. Nonsensical Asian stationery is the best. Viruses = GLORIOUS, Morning Glory, $4 (comes in pink and blue too)
10. For the person who has always wanted to encase his/her pencils with a taco, Fred Flare, $14
11. According to Wikipedia, ”Tenorikuma” in English apparently means “bears that fit in your palm.” Like all other Sanrio characters, Tenorikuma have very detailed personas. The large heart-eared bear-bee is “Latte,” a cafe manager. Then there’s Chai, Frap, Maple, and Macchiato. All bears are identifiable by different colored scarves. Last, but *definitely* not least, there’s Mister Steam and Muddler. A steam cloud and a spoon, respectively. Oh man, Sanrio. Idea. What if Latte, Chai, and Mister Steam decided to engage in a little ménage à trios? Consider THAT, Sanrio, $10
Although the Stickers and Donuts crew will not be returning to the classroom this fall, we love school supplies. One of our favorite parts about returning to school is the excuse to get new school supplies. Perfectly un-creased notebooks? Delightful. New package of pens? Bliss. Since it is August, it seems only appropriate to feature a series of posts on school supplies. Hooray!
The first pencil case I ever owned was a plasticizer-smelling, magenta and teal SpaceMaker. My pencils bounced from that to multiple metal-y and fabric-y Sanrio (Hello Kitty, Kerropi, Pochacco, Marron Cream, Badtz Maru, etc.) pencil cases, and then to a plain plastic snap case when I became a little punkass and considered myself above Sanrio. (FYI- My pens and pencils currently reside in a Hello Kitty pencil case)
Anyways, I went on a scout for the most baller pencil cases to share with you and I’ve selected my favorites. Enjoy!!!
I just love these pretty glasses from wrapables.com. Not only do these non-sweating glasses obviate the need for coasters, but they hold both hot and cold liquids and look pretty while doing it! I’ll take that coffee on the left with all of the foam, thank you.
(Set of 2 $17-33, depending on size)
Not only is this week’s Donut of the Week stale, but it’s also sold out at KidRobot (which, by the way, is offering me a plentitude of donut pleasures).
PS: I’m still away, but I’ll be back in full-force later this week! Just wanted to provide a brief little update with DOW.
Stickers & Donuts is going to post a cool, crafty, pretty, or yummy donut EVERY WEEK! Aren’t you looking forward to that?!
The Donut(s) of the Week are from Yellow Label. They’re colorful, you can chew on them (if you are a baby, preferably) and because they are knit, they are zero calories! If donuts aren’t your thing, you can always get some knit cookies.
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