Household stationery isn’t “our precious pens and paper in our study” — it’s the everyday tools that keep a home ticking. We talk freezer-proof labels, kitchen whiteboards, year-at-a-glance calendars we forget to update, junk-drawer essentials, elastic bands vs Velcro ties for cables, and even a full Kanban wall system that helps a building business run. 

Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we need help decoding), why shrink-wrap on notebooks should be illegal, and the enduring magic of handwritten notes in old recipe books.

What We Cover

• Labelling the real world: freezer labels that don’t fall off, pens that actually write on them, and why chalk pens disappointed.
• Whiteboards at home: revision, “blurting” study technique, and why office whiteboards triple in size the moment they enter a house.
• Family calendars: wall planners vs Google Calendar; how to stop answering “What’s for tea?” 47 times.
• The junk drawer: string, Sellotape ends, last 3 Post-its, elastic bands—and occasionally £40.
• Cable wrangling: elastic bands vs Velcro ties (and cats stealing the Velcro).
• Kitchen Kanban: a visual, Post-it based board for a builder’s workload (columns from “mentioned” to “invoiced”).
• Notes on doors: Berlin-style paper rolls to leave messages (and why phones killed the habit).
• Measuring kids’ growth: doorframe ticks vs logging in Apple Notes.
• Sticky label removal: we’ve tried dishwasher runs, washing-up liquid, alcohol… still tacky! (Your hacks welcome.)
• Brands behaving oddly: a Moleskine “travel case” too small for a Cahier; shrink-wrapped notebooks you can’t test.
• Why we love marginalia: old cookbooks and Reader’s Digest repair manuals with handwritten tweaks.
• Content recommendations: Andrew Huberman’s interview with Steven Pressfield (resistance, turning pro, doing the work).
• Event tease: Rob & Helen at a November stationery event (with a shop… send help).

Listener Shout-Outs

• Lisa (In Berlin, in a kitchen): topic idea + brilliant list — thank you Lisa!
• Nat: for sending Magic Click (and introducing us to Barbara Thames’ creativity/play angle).
• Anonymous newsletter supporter: your generosity genuinely helps keep this ad-free. Thank you!

Resources & Mentions

• Magic Click colour-pen system — creator Barbara Tammes (if you’ve used it, tell us how!).
• Label makers: DYMO.
• Notebooks & shops: Moleskine, Waterstones, Dingbats (reporter), Tom’s Studio (pens & inks).
• Other: Vinted (finds), Nokia notebooks at a conference, Reader’s Digest Repair Manuals, The Newt (Somerset).
• Podcasts: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Turning Pro; Dr Andrew Huberman interview with Steven Pressfield.

Where to Find Us

• Newsletter & archive: stationeryfreaks.com → Substack
• Instagram: @stationeryfreaksuk
• Say hello / ideas: via the website or Insta DMs