Happy National Stationery Week!
First up – yep, National Stationery Week is a thing and, secondly, no you don't have to celebrate.
Unless you want to buy loads of nice stationery, that is.
Here's our guide to the best places to get pens and paper and scissors and the rest.
Flying Tiger
You might still know these guys as Tiger, but the Danish homeware wonders have now changed their name so it's the same the world over. This, of course, is completely by the by. When it comes to stationery that's cheap, cute and effective, they're so good it really doesn't matter what their name is. Check out their new-for-April gardening-themed range, which includes this rubber in the shape of an actual aubergine for £2. The only downside? No online store... Yet.
kikki.K
This Swedish store expanded to the UK at the end of 2015, opening two whole shops in London's Covent Garden, with more to follow. And it's easy to see why they've done so well – with affordable stationery and homeware bits which adhere to every Instagram trend going (think marble, copper, cute illustrations and very eye-pleasing colours), it's pretty much your one-stop shop for creating a super-smug post about your #mondaymotivation #zen #werk space. Even if you don't intend to do any work.
Oh, and buy these scissors (£7.50). Because you need gold scissors in your life, even if the last thing you used scissors for was to cut a heart round Dougie-from-McFly's face in Smash Hits.
Paperchase
The place you probably picked up your GCSE art supplies, and where you go to get your loved ones their birthday cards. However, the brand has stepped up its game of late, with seasonal drops providing us with seriously good homeware, tropical summer party decorations, and of course, it's your one-stop-shop for kitting out your desk with kitsch stationary. Like this sausage dog eraser (£7.50).
& Other Stories
But... but... that's a clothes shop, you say. Well, yes, it is, but they've recently launched a stationery line so you can finally stop your super-chic Scandi-inspired outfit being let down by a run-of-the-mill Bic biro. Obviously you need this gold-embossed letter-writing set (£7). Then, because it's 2017 and no one writes letters anymore, post said letters to yourself so you can justify buying this leaf-shaped letter opener (£17). Fun for days.
Present & Correct
Just browsing the website of Present & Correct is a soothing experience. Who knew a clever artistic director could make even a bunch of multicoloured rubbers look like the backdrop to a mindfulness class. They do have one IRL store, in London, but you can buy online, too. These geometry sticky notes (£4.50) are so good they're probably the only thing you need to actually get your life in shipshape order.
Ohh Deer
No IRL shop for these guys but there's SO much online it's unlikely they could pack it all into one space anyway. Their stock tends to err on the side of cutesy and kitsch but it's COOL cutesy and kitsch, which you almost certainly want on your desk. They feature loads of illustrations on their work and their latest collab with the ace Nina Cosford is definitely worth checking out. Big love for this notepad, £5.95.
Quill Stationery
Another grown-up store this one. Again, shopping takes place online but they've got a studio where they hold delightful experiences like calligraphy workshops. Some might say their prices are a little steep but tbh, if you can't shell out £11.50 for a pair of bulldog clips with cats on them, then it's probably time for you to reassess where you're coming from.
Fox & Star
Online stationery store with a huge collection of washi tape, which is excellent for a number of things, including making the present you wrapped up in printer paper look "arty", sticking postcards to the wall in a jazzy manner and, well, looking nice in a tape dispenser on your desk. This bird stuff (£5.50) is cool; ditto for this orange spotty stuff (£2.95).
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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