by Rachel Smith
20 February 2015
I do love a beautiful notepad, I must confess. And as I write this, I see pads everywhere – on the fridge, on my desk, in my handbag (and there are even 5-10, never written in, stuffed at the back of my filing cabinet ‘just in case’ I one day need a notepad). Yes, my collection could probably give Officeworks a run for its money – and today I want to share some of my favourites with you. So here are a selection that’ll make your life easier, your work day more efficient… and, okay, give you a giggle or two when you need it.
The All Out Of Notepad, $7
One of my personal favourites. Forget those hastily scribbled post-it note shopping lists – all you need is this pad on your fridge. Through the week you can just tick stuff you need as you go. No more forgetting ANYTHING – and the pad lasts forever.
The Owl To Do List pad, $10.53
If you don’t gravitate towards all that super-professional (and some would say kinda boring) office stationery, you’ll find heaps of other options online that’ll help keep your daily to-do (or will-do list) in order. Love this cute and creative offering from Etsy.
The Remember Notepad, $19.80
A simple but handy Etsy option, this desk pad offers separate sections for ‘To Do’, ‘To Contact’, ‘To Make’, ‘To Buy’ and more. Condenses all your post-it note lists onto the one page – love it.
The Aqua Notes Notepad
For anyone who always gets their brilliant ideas in the shower, there’s the waterproof notepad complete with pen. $7.
Things You Must Do To Make Me Happy Notepad, $7
Complete with checkboxes for ‘Yesterday’, ‘Immediately’ and ‘From Now On’. Okay, so this isn’t absolutely ESSENTIAL in your life, but it might be a great gift to give your significant other. So they can, uh, take the hint. Tee hee.
The Dinner Planner, $14.95
I started planning weekly meals a few years ago. Some weeks I stick to the plan more than others, but I do think since getting into the habit of doing this I have saved heaps of money and time. There are quite a few meal planner notepads out there, but this simple KikkiK one is all you need.
What The WTF Am I Doing Notepad, $7
What ARE you doing, with your day, your week, your life? This notepad offers areas for you to create lists. And as I am heavily into the will-do list right now, it’s right up my street. I don’t know about you but anything to make my day fun is a winner.
Moleskin with recycled handprinted cover, $10.16
You can’t go wrong with the humble moleskin, but if you want something with a bit more personality, these Etsy notepads may be just the thing for your desk, laptop bag, handbag, etc. Also available in, ‘My external memory disk’, ‘My secret poems’ and ‘My get rich quick ideas’. Love it.
Information Central Paper Mousepad, $10
Need to take a quick but important note, or scribble down someone’s email address? You’ll never be lost for a scrap of paper again with this mousemat notepad. Genius.
The Apology notepad, $4.50
You did something and you need to say sorry for it. Hello, apology notepad. This will truly change your life, with reasons for bad behaviour included, but not limited to, ‘I was in a foul mood’, ‘I was drunk’, ‘You were pushing my buttons’ and ‘It seemed like a good idea’. Maybe don’t try using this one on a disgruntled editor or client, though.
I Dreamed My Whole Desk Was Clean sticky notes, $4
Forget boring old yellow sticky notes. Go for something that’ll put a smile on your face. And possibly motivate you to clean up your damn desk.
Okay, so now you all know how obsessed I am with notepads… please share your stationery obsessions in the comments. Novelty pens? Accordion files? Those animal pins for your corkboard? I can’t be the only one out there with this problem.
You are definitely not the only one!
Hi, I’m Leigh, and I’m a stationery addict.
A trip to Officeworks solicits groans from my husband and my bookshelf is stuffed with as many pretty notebooks as there are written books. I have different notebooks for different projects, notebooks for planning vacations, journals, idea jotters – you name it, I’ve got it.
My all-time favourite is Paperchase (www.paperchase.co.uk) from the UK. Great stuff from great designers (disclaimer, I used to work there). I’m also falling in love with Inspirationery (www.facebook.com/inspirationery), an eco-friendly stationery label that donates 50 per cent of profits to empowering women and girls through education and leadership programs.
Please don’t get me started on colourful pens, highlighters and markers…
You are dangerous, Leigh. Think of all the damage we could do in Officeworks.
*goes to check out Paperchase and Inspirationery immediately*
This is great! I’m so pleased someone else loves notepads as much as I do, or should I say … did. In an attempt to migrate my notes ‘online’ I’m learning to embrace Evernote.
As a full-time student (as well as freelancing) I found lugging lots of notebooks was adding to the weight of my bag. However, I will always love post-it notes, index cards and re-using the backs of paper.
I’ve had Evernote on my list for, well, forever. Still haven’t played with it properly.
And OH! Index cards. I forgot about index cards! You’re a girl after my own heart!! Funny story: my nephew is totally obsessed with stationery and one Christmas I got him a whole heap including a huge pack of index cards. He was incandescent with joy. He was 9 at the time! I think I started something!