What to Buy AFTER You Found the Perfect Notebook or Journal

You don’t have to be a journal or notebook lover to be obsessed with office supplies! There is nothing like a new planner, sticky note, or pen to make you feel organized and on top of everything. Sometimes it feels like a journey to find the perfect notebook or planner. You may weigh in your mind things like size, paper style, paperweight, pen loop or no pen loop, hardcover, softcover, and more…the easier part of loving office supplies is browsing through journal accessories that will speak to your inner office supply lover and planner lover. 

Because who doesn’t feel more on top of things when they have journaling supplies in stock?

This post is a mini-shopping guide roundup of all of my favorite office supplies to buy…after the perfect notebook is already in your hands. If you are still looking for the perfect notebook or the perfect journaling system at this point, start with this post: “Choose a Journaling System That Works For You” to get you started. These are items that make journaling or using a notebook just fun and allows you to be really creative. You will also see pictures of my journal or planner because I use items like these all the time.

Journal charm or bookmark

I stumbled upon a little Etsy shop for journal charms named Colibri Charms. Now, they are running their own website storefront! The owner is fantastic, and they may have the best shipping times I have ever seen! These little charms are great gifts for the journal or notebook lover in your life. Many of them have a bookmark option in case you have someone with a traditional notebook, but I like to attach my charms to the elastic bands on the inside of my traveler notebook cover. You can also attach a charm to the front elastic band that goes all the way around the notebook. These make the perfect small decorations that you can change out whenever you want a different type of inspiration. I added this little bunny to the outside of my notebook because it reminds me of the stuffed bunny my two-year-old carries with her around the house. 

• Colibri Charms | Decorative Charms

Stickers

Another item to grab from the Colibri Charms website is the cute stickers. I LOVE stickers. I have tried all sorts of books of stickers and different styles when it comes to adding some decor to a layout, and I find that it is the easiest way to decorate your notebook or journal on the go. After becoming a mama, stickers have become a permanent part of my life. I love these collections available now on the website:

Books & Beans (Book lovers and coffee lovers rejoice!)

Stargazer (Think of looking at the night sky-but in your notebook)

Sprung (Because who isn’t ready for spring?)

Markers, pens, or pencils

Markers can make or break a journaling experience. I find that you don’t have to get too fancy. You can use great markers to add details, highlight events, or mark off accomplishments. Sometimes the only thing that gets me through a workout on a day when I am unmotivated is to know I can mark off that red square in my notebook to show my progress. The three sets of markers I come back to over and over again are Tombow, Sharpie S-Note, and Stabilo markers. Tombow markers are great for drawing and blending. I feel like an artist with these markers. The Stabilo Boss markers have such a great color saturation, while the S-Notes come in some cool colors that are unexpected. 

• Amazon | Tombow Dual Brush Markers

• Target | Sharpie S-Note 24pk Creative Marker Highlighters Chisel Tip Multicolored

• Amazon | Stabilo BOSS Highlighter Set

Pen or pencil pouch

How many pencil pouches could I potentially own? My favorite pencil pouch is one that a former student gave me years ago that says “Write On.” I can always find a use for a pencil pouch whether it is holding actual pencils, markers, stickers, or small items that my two-year-old might like when we are out and about. I feel like the size of a pencil pouch really matters. You want to be able to carry things with you, but as a mama, I need to also carry a host of other things like diapers, wipes, fruit snacks, AND the cool pouch. You have to be able to fit everything and still feel like you are indulging yourself with fancy markers for your planner or journal in the process. 

• Notebook Therapy | Notebook Therapy Pop-Up Pencil Pouches

• Amazon, Bookbug Bookstore Kalamazoo, or Out of Print Clothing | Out of Print Pouches (For the person who loves writing AND reading)

• Amazon | CICIMELON Pencil Case Large Capacity Pencil Pouch

Pen quiver or pen closure

A pen quiver and closure just feel fancy. I use mine from Chici Sparrow to hold my fountain pen. I like to also use my pen quiver as a pen organizer in my bag when I want to carry an extra pen or two, but I do not want a whole pen pouch in my bag. These pen quivers and closures match the same leather that I like from Chic Sparrow-The Creme Brulee Creme. 

• Chic Sparrow | Chic Sparrow Pen Quiver

• Chic Sparrow | Chic Sparrow Pen Closure

6. Journal cover for a traveler’s notebook

In a past October post, I moved my bullet journaling system into a traveler’s notebook cover! I have not looked back, and dare I say, I think I may have found planner peace when it comes to covering up my notebooks. I love how my cover feels. It is soft, yet it holds its shape around my notebook. There are many notebook covers out there available at a wide range of prices available. Chic Sparrow is on the higher-end options, but my cover is absolutely beautiful. They offer second-chance sales and have a clearance section as well. You can find a cover that you love in the size that you want. Don’t hesitate to try different sizes and see what can work for you. I have tried a few:

A5-The most popular size, the size of most medium notebooks that are available

B6-Small and cute, this size is great if you want to save space

Travelers-Narrow pages, but also great if you want to save space traveling and need the length of a full size notebook

I love the traveler’s notebook size (4.76 x 8.74 inches) and the A5 size (5.8 X 8.3) Originally, traveler’s notebooks fit more than one notebook on the inside, these small notebooks are called inserts. However, I use one larger notebook instead of four smaller ones.

• Chic Sparrow | Chic Sparrow Leather Covers

• The Journal Shop | The Original Midori Traveler’s Notebook

Comfortable Gear! Journaling sweatshirt and headbands

One of the best parts about journaling is the ambiance of journaling. I love being able to cozy up and get comfortable with a notebook or journal. My go-to morning attire when I am working in a notebook is a sweatshirt and a headband. I love the Kalamazoo, MI small business The Happy Headband Co. It also helps she used to be a teacher and consistently donates books to classrooms. Here are some sweatshirts and t-shirts that may keep writer’s block away, but also make any notebook or journal lover proud to wear at home or out and about doing errands.

• Teespring | Writing Mindset Teespring Shop

• Teespring | Literacy Adventures Swag “Literacy is My Jam” (Note: All proceeds from these sales go toward funding little pop-up neighborhood libraries!)

• The Happy Headband Co | Livin’ That Teacher Life Collection

• The Happy Headband Co | Wide Twist Headbands (These are my favorite)

A fountain pen and ink

A fountain pen is something that I found intimidating up until recently. I was intrigued to try the fountain pens from Ferris Wheel Press because I love their tagline: Fall in Love with Writing Again. Because who doesn’t want to fall in love with writing again? I grabbed an ink and a pen in a color that I loved (Coral reminds me of summer and Writing Mindset) and gave it a go.  You can also use fountain pen ink in unconventional ways like for art or background on a creative spread. It was fun to make this little Mary Oliver quote spread with the Workshop Wishes ink.

Ferris Wheel Press | Brush Fountain Pen (I picked the Sunrise Sorbet one)

Ferris Wheel Press | Workshop Wishes Ink

Noted Sticky Notes Series from Target

I love a good sticky note. I use sticky notes the most to cover old pages in my planner so I can use them like a journal recycled. The Noted line available at Target is especially good and complimentary to bullet journaling because they have the standard sticky note, see-through sticky notes, and also sticky notes for to-do lists, habit trackers, grocery shopping, and more. I use the grocery shopping list weekly because grocery shopping with a toddler is an Olympic sport. 

Target | Noted Post-It Market Notepad

Target | Habit Tracker

Writing Mindset Reflection: What would you add to the list? What is the ONE journaling accessory you can’t be without?