NO, these carbohydrates are not from Tricia’s Tiny Things List, they are Iwako Pastry Erasers from JetPens ($5.50 for the 6 erasers & tray). As soon as I received them, I wrote the following email to my co-editor Tricia:

“tricia they sent me this and i can’t get anything done: i keep pulling off the top of the cream puff and putting it back on and then pretending to eat them and picking them up and putting them down and then moving the tray away from me so I’ll stop and then putting it back on the corner of my laptop. SERIOUSLY.”

Having now owned these delectable dishes for a full 10 hours, I am obsessed. They are the most realistic looking erasers I’ve ever seen - I believe they contend with plastic dollhouse food. You can TAKE OFF the top of the cream puff and there is a strawberry in there or you can take off the layers of the pizza. This obviously means hours of fun. At age 10, my dolls would’ve opened a pastry shop in the bottom floor of their wooden house. Now that I’m more than double that age, I’ve packaged them in a ziploc bag to bring to work (true story).

I have to admit, though I loved these little foods on first sight, I feared I was going to have to lump them into the same category as those dark pink erasers on the top of cheap pencils (you know, the kind that leave eraser smudges across the paper, which makes it worse than the mistake in the first place), or those pencil-toppers in the shapes of bears & cats. They were always much worse than regular erasers. I DESPISE bad erasers.

Anyway, I didn’t want to ruin my food, so I just used the bottom corner of the croissant. In a very scientific test which involved erasing an incorrect math answer, it performed just as well as the pink eraser atop my favorite pencil (Dixon Ticonderoga #2). Both left a ghost of my nine, but no smudges or ghastly pink or granite lines.

This was a huge surprise. There has to be new eraser technology or else why wouldn’t all of those crappy pencil toppers work better? As JetPens said themselves, “Mistakes seem somehow brighter when you erase them with a piece of cake” — especially when that piece of cake actually erases. Anyway, erasure success means only one thing: you need to buy TWO SETS — one for erasing and one to bring to work & pretend to eat.

Iwako Postry on Try Novelty Eraser — 6 Piece Set ($5.50) Or, if carbs aren’t your style, you can try for other eraser sets including sushi, american food (we eat french fries & soda, btw), or these lovely japanese snacks.

Note from Tricia: I, too, received this delightful set from JetPens yesterday, and I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING MARIA MENTIONED.  I am enamored with the cream puff, and the first act of my eraser exhibition to my coworkers involved me removing the top of the cream puff.  Oohs and Aahs followed.  (Of course.)

Happy Friday! Posts are going to be light and/or non-existent through Tuesday (LSATs / GREs!!!!)! This post is long. Save half of it for Monday? xo

I blame Tricia & Bobby Solomon for the messiness of this post.

First of all, Tricia’s study-supply-heavy currently obsessed post prompted me to write my own study-supply heavy currently obsessed post. (Hopefully, between the two of us, your next study session will be super-productive (and you will gain five pounds).)

Bobby Solomon doesn’t know who I am, but I read his blog & am really obsessed with his desktop wallpaper project. He has twitter (so does Stickers & Donuts!) and commented on Ben Fold’s new album with a song featuring Regina Spektor, which I also love, and in usual internet-fashion I now feel really connected and really creepy.

ANYWAY, right after laying out the images for this post, I discovered this week’s desktop wallpaper featuring Billy Murray on Bobby’s blog, and (instant obsession!) had to squeeze it into my post. Due to a layer error and time constraints, I had only so many choices in reorganization. Alas. Messy.

Anyway, after the jump, long descriptions (procrastination) of the things in the picture. Also, links.

(more…)

Hello friends! In my very first issue of currently obsessed, I’d like to share some things that I’ve recently been consuming/listening to/lusting for. As you can tell from all the picks, I am in study mode. Non-mechanical #2 pencils? Check! Candy and coffee? Double check! (Note: My productivity is correlated with candy consumption. Legit.  Kind of like Felicity’s pre-med roommate and her M&Ms, minus the pre-med part.  Or, Michael from the Princess Diaries and HIS M&Ms. ) The Life Aquatic violates this set from being completely study-related (I can only intake a limited amount of David Bowie. Especially when I’m trying to “critically” read.), but this is currently obsessed…so no discrimination allowed. Ciao!

• I got a pack of Ticonderoga tri-writes last month. They are wonderful! I hold writing utensils awkwardly and incorrectly (it’s not my fault!) (my hand basically looks like it is itching to punch someone…I know you were trying to picture my awkward-looking hand…). They sharpen very well (I love my Maped sharpener!). As the name implies, the pencil is triangular- a built in pencil grip! Also, these pencils don’t run away when you throw them down in frustration. How obedient!
• Trader Darwin (Joe)’s Gummi Vites are the best! I have a really difficult time taking vitamins. I never remember, and when I do, I cringe when I see the submarine-sized pills. Bleh. These make taking vitamins so much fun! They might be too much fun, however, because I have definitely been taking more than the recommended amount. :( Trader Joe’s, $4.99 for a bottle of 70.
• Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about Bill Murray. As part of the Chicago Air & Water Show a month ago, he jumped out of a plane. I thought it was particularly funny that the Chicago Tribune chronicled his jump, minute by minute. The search feature of the Chicago Tribune website is stumping me right now (as is Chicago Tribune’s distasteful usa-todayification…which re-affirms the New York Times’ superiority…REALLY? DO YOU THINK I’M AN IDIOT AND NEED A PAGE-BAR TO NAVIGATE A NEWSPAPER?), but here’s the gawker article that mocks the Chicago Tribune’s Murray coverage. Just last week, Bill Murray was in the news again in regards to his apparent approval of an upcoming Ghostbusters film. Anyways, with all this Bill Murray nonsense, I realized that I still did not have the soundtrack to The Life Aquatic. I have been listening to it since I got it this past weekend, and it’s pretty good. I’m not ready to declare where it falls in my personal Wes-Anderson-soundtrack rankings (Royal Tennebaums and Rushmore are exceptionally tight), but this one is great.
• At Trader Joe’s they sell this licorice in 1lb tubs. When you put a twisty chunk in your mouth? Utter bliss. Inspired by this post on Mindy Ephron’s blog, I went searching for a tub of Kookaburra at Trader Joe’s.  Although it may not be Kookaburra, the licorice still tastes like the best masticated-fruit roll up ever.  I can finish a tub, by myself, in less than a day. :( Trader Joe’s, $3.99 for a 1lb tub.
• This is one of the most clever devices that I have ever seen. The Pentel Handy-lineS Memorization Aid Highlighter Set (whew! what a name) includes a green highlighter, an eraser marker, and a piece of red film. As you can already tell, this is not a normal highlighter. So let’s say that you have this monstrous exam on world capitals. You have in your notes, “Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan.” While you’re studying, you highlight “Thimphu,” because you want to make sure it is ingrained in your head. Also, highlighting keeps you from falling asleep. After you’ve reached Zimbabwe on your list, you’d like to test yourself to see how much you’ve retained. Instead of awkwardly covering up your highlighted capitals with your fingers, all you have to do is cover your notes with the red film. Result? The film masks your highlighted text, and you can’t read it! Test away! When you’re done studying, you can even un-highlight test using the eraser. MAGIC! Available at JetPens, $5.70
• Moonstruck Chocolate Company is one of the best chocolatiers. They make really great truffles, and their chocolates are always well-balanced and not too alcoholicy (like Godiva). There used to be a lovely company-owned Moonstruck Cafe on Michigan Ave., but it closed. Womp womp. As a result, one of the only places you can get Moonstruck chocolates downtown is Macy’s. Moonstruck has a few cute signatures, including their ice cream cone collection, cupcake truffle collection, AND critter truffle collection. Similar to their iconic critter truffles, “Election Collection 08″ features elephant and donkey truffles! How patriotic! The elephant is a dark chocolate extra-bittersweet ganache, and the donkey features Moonstruck’s Mayan Ganache (milk chocolate, almonds, cinnamon). Also of note, the last time I was at the State Street Macy’s, the only election truffles left were elephants. I find this amusing and very telling. Available at Moonstruck, $15 for a collection of four.
• Sometimes I go to Caffe Rom twice a day. It has gotten so excessive, that I feel like they know me pretty well. I think I’m on my way from becoming “medium americano girl” to “Tricia.” This graduation is sort of exciting, and sort of embarassing. However, this is one of my favorite places to get coffee. It reminds me of my ex-barista days, and the espresso is good. I gave Intelligentsia a chance (actually two chances), and it was pretty gross. Unwelcomingly sour. And, whenever I go to Starbucks, I always spill. Probably because the hippie free trade coffee gods are trying to punish me. Karma is a bitch when you are wearing something non-black.

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!!!