ninagobragh | Recent Entries

Current Mood: embarrassed
Current Location: Home
Current Music: Gnarly - KATSEYE

I’m back for a brief moment! Thought I’d drop by to give a quick update on the state of this blog and a few stationery surprises as well!

As you can see, I’ve been absent for a couple of months. That’s not because I’m not still actively feeding my stationery habit, that’s because on top of this hobby, I now have TWO jobs that take up almost all my time! I’m also still writing a new book, which I’m trying to squeeze in. And finally, I just adopted a new kitty (!!) and he’s a little fur ball. Needless to say, I’ve been pulled in a lot of directions for a while now and time is pretty minimal.

But not to worry. I’m not shutting down MSL. It’s staying up for now, and I may occasionally contribute to it when I have the time/energy. I’m happy with the look and feel of this blog and I want to still write about my stationery habit.

For instance:

To go with my Hobonichi Techno planner for this year, I bought this Hobonichi pen sampler. Every pen color matches the coloring of each month in the planner. And because I had a dearth of orange highlighters, I snapped up this orange highlighter set to go with it.
If you’re looking for simple spreadsheet-style notebooks, check out the Laconic style spreadsheet books. They’re thin and A5 sized, and fit right into my leather notebook covers.
Speaking of leather notebook covers, I completely filled my A4-sized notebook with notes from my training over the Fall. Since those original inserts aren’t available anymore, I bought three Kokuyo notebooks to fit into it: the graph, the lined, and the research lab notebook. Lo and behold, these books are FANTASTIC. I love the paper, love that they’re thin, and love that they come in multiple sizes.
I gifted my passport-sized Traveler’s Notebook to a good friend a few months ago, so I caved and bought another! They’re SO convenient in size. I’m actually digging smaller-sized notebooks this year — my A6 Techo (Avec) is working out great. While I’ve had to readjust my handwriting to be smaller (and as a result, more scribbled), I think they work out a little bit better. I can pack my planner in my bag without worrying about space issues.
And finally, take a look at this new mechanical pencil! I have to write a lot of things in pencil lately (because I’m erasing constantly), and I realized that typical Ticonderoga or Bic Mechanical pencils just aren’t cutting it for me. This one is fantastic. It writes more precisely and sits comfortably in my hand.

So yes — I’m still collecting and using stationery! I’m just not writing about it as frequently. But as I said, I’m still going to be contributing.

I’ll check back soon!

Current Mood: content
Current Location: Home

Hi all! It’s been awhile! I have a few reasonable excuses: training and studying for a career change, the High Holy Days, a car crash (I’m fine!), and the fact that my new nibling is due any day now. So needless to say, I’ve had to cut back on a few things.

But don’t worry — I haven’t abandoned My Stationery Life. I just took a little break. And of course, I’ve still been quietly adding things to my JetPens wishlist. In fact, I wanted to make a quick post about a few of the items I’ve added over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, most of them are out of stock at the moment — but maybe that’s the universe’s way of keeping me on budget for a bit!

Yumi Kitagishi: White Cat’s Daily Life: I really don’t need a new Hobonichi cover. The ones from last year are perfectly fine — and the 2026 lineup is pretty pricey. But… cats!!
Hobonichi Techo Gel Pen Sampler: A matching pen for each Hobonichi month? Totally unnecessary, but I can’t lie — I’m tempted. I think I already have a good color lineup for 2026, but it would be nice to be sure.
Chiratto Index Tabs: Now these are definitely on the “need” list. I always burn through index tabs, and these are just too cute to pass up.
JetPens Highlighter Sampler – Blue Green: I keep telling myself I don’t need more highlighters (and I truly don’t — I might have more than anyone on earth). But I don’t have many green ones. Or teal. That counts as restraint, right?
Sarasa Nano Gel Pen: These pens are absolutely gorgeous. They’re not for me this time — I’m planning to gift them to my brother (the soon-to-be parent of said nibling). We both love smooth gel pens, and of all the Sarasas I’ve tried, I know these would be his favorite.
JetPens Pink Gel Pen Sampler: This one’s back on the “need” list. I don’t actually own many pink pens, which feels like a personal oversight considering how much I love the color.

So that’s the latest batch of wishlist adds! I still need to restock a few office basics that JetPens doesn’t carry — things like file folders, three-ring binders (the boring office kind, not the cute kind), and dividers. Time for a Staples run, anyone?

Current Mood: groggy
Current Location: Home
Current Music: Darling, I - Tyler, the Creator

My 2026 Hobonichi Techo order arrived the other day, and I’m already counting down the days until January when I can start using it!

This year I went with the A5 Avec instead of a full Cousin for my main book. The split books feel a little less intimidating, and honestly, I didn’t want to commit to one giant planner in case I get bored or decide to switch things up halfway through the year. I bought a couple others and have a setup in mind, but I’ll save the full breakdown for another post once I’ve settled into it (no spoilers yet, except the picture at the bottom).

(Fun fact: getting that picture was a challenge because my cat would not leave me alone. He tried crawling across the floor and drooling on my hand. Disgusting and adorable in equal measure.)

Alongside my Hobonichi order, I couldn’t resist grabbing another pen sampler, this time all purple.

Overall? A solid set. Nothing was shockingly amazing or horribly disappointing, which in a way is a win. Even the two Gelly Roll pens, which can sometimes be hit or miss for me, did just fine.

Favorites: Tie between the Sarasa Nano and the Pilot Juice. Both glide beautifully.
Best bold tip: The Pentel EnerGel is your friend.
Best fine tip: The Pilot Juice Up is practically writing with a needle.

But now, I think I’ve officially maxed out my purple collection. Between this set and my pile of highlighters, it’s probably time to branch out. Green might be next on the spectrum.

(And yes, my cat tried to photobomb this picture too.)

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Location: Work
Current Music: Thought I Was Dead - Tyler the Creator

So, how did everyone do on Hobonichi Day? Did you score the planners you wanted? I ended up with my setup for next year — the A5 Avec and the A5 Days-Free. (I actually picked up another system for something else, but I’ll save that for a future post.)

But what I really wanted to talk about today is something a little different: index cards.

A Brief History

The last time I used index cards in any serious way, I was 18 and working my first job at a law firm. Despite computers (and yes, even the internet!) being around, my boss insisted on tracking clients with index cards in a big box — very Rolodex-style. If you don’t know what a Rolodex is, please sweep me off the floor and deposit me directly into the trash can.

Even before that, index cards were part of my life. I kept a little card catalog for my personal library, noting down every title and author. At school, I remember having to write facts on index cards for history projects and then turn them in as part of the grade.

Present Day

These days? They’re basically retired. I’ve got a stack sitting on my utility cart and in the last two years I’ve used them twice:

once as Hebrew aleph-bet flashcards
once as a last-minute homemade greeting card

And that’s it.

It’s not that I dislike analog tools — I actually prefer them most of the time. I’m a big believer in keeping things tactile when possible. But the truth is, index cards feel optional now. If I need to jot something down and stick it somewhere, I grab a sticky note. If I want to track my books, there are plenty of apps. If I need flashcards, my commonplace book or a digital app does the trick. And if I forget a greeting card again, Canva (or a quick trip to the store) is probably a better solution.

The Future

I don’t mean for this to sound like a eulogy for index cards. Plenty of people still swear by them, and that’s great! For me, though, they may be one of those tools I’ve outgrown. I’ll always have fond memories of shuffling through a box of handwritten cards, but I think it’s time to admit: I’ve moved on.

Current Mood: pensive
Current Location: Home
Current Music: Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

I'm not in love with Wirecutter reviews, especially because of their reliance on affiliate links in their posts (which makes me really doubt their authenticity, but whatever). However, I still wind up going there for ideas rather than for recommendations. And it looks like they updated their Favorite Paper Planners list again.

Not sure if this was the winner last time, but the Recycled Paper Monthly Planner from Muji (link goes directly to the site, not their affiliate link). It's a cute little A5 paper planner. Very minimalist and nondescript.

They have a range of other picks, too. Erin Condren's Lifeplanner makes the list (again). I also see a classic Filofax, which gives me the warm fuzzies as it sends me back to the days when my mom wore shoulder pads and watched LA Law. Excuse me while I turn into dust.

Current Mood: geeky

I haven't talked too much about leuchtturm1917 journals here (probably because I'm waiting on an upcoming post), but they're pretty nice notebooks all-in-all. And if you're in post-secondary education, I thought it would be cool to mention that they have these new Thesis Journals out right now for long-term thesis projects -- Bachelor's, Master's, and perhaps PhD's:

Whether it’s an essay, empirical paper, bachelor’s or master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation, the Thesis Journal supports students, doctoral candidates, and researchers through every crucial stage of academic writing. It helps to view the process as a learnable skill, approach it with structure, and eliminate unnecessary stress.

Very handy! It reminds me of the Moleskine Student Cahier journals, just a bit more focused.

Current Mood: confused
Current Location: Work

I’m thinking about upgrading my small, sturdy, but ancient pencil bag with a slightly larger, slightly more robust drawer or gadget pouch soon.

And when I say ancient, I mean it. My current pencil bag is a pink-and-black number I bought from Walmart back in…middle school. Yes, that’s how old it is. We’re talking mid-1990s. I’m turning into dust as I type this.

But here’s the thing: it’s reliable. It’s in remarkable condition for being (you do the math) years old, and it even has a black loop that makes it easy to carry anywhere. The only real drawback is its lack of organization. It’s just one big pocket, and I’d much prefer something that opens flat with mesh pockets and/or pen loops so I can actually see what I’m carrying.

So, I’ve been browsing. Here are a few options that caught my eye:

Hobonichi’s New Drawer Pouch Lineup: The new patterns are absolutely to die for (especially the Sasha Kiora!). They tick a lot of boxes for me: sturdy build, attractive design, and the organizational touches I’ve been craving. Hobonichi pouches are always on the pricier side, but I can’t deny how good they look.

My hesitation? The card-sized pockets. I’m not sure if they’re genuinely useful or just a solution in search of a problem. Do I have enough small items to stash in them? Or would I just end up using one as a wallet (which, to be honest, I do need to replace soon)? Either way, they’re a tempting option, especially since I’ve been keeping an eye on Hobonichi’s 2026 Techo lineup.

Lihit Lab Surfrider Foundation Gadget Pockets: Not as aesthetically pleasing as Hobonichi’s offerings, but wow, are they functional. These lay completely open with one mesh pocket on one side and a roomy “drawer” on the other. No frills, no waste, just pure utility. From what I’ve seen, they hold a lot—not just pens and pencils, but scissors, rulers, cords, and cables.

They’re definitely more function over form, but that’s not a bad thing. The price point is also more modest, which makes them an attractive alternative if I decide to go practical instead of pretty.

Lihit Lab Myfa Decoration Case: If I want to stick with Lihit Lab but add a little more personality, the Myfa Decoration Case might be the way to go. It combines the Surfrider’s simplicity with softer edges and a bit more cuteness. These cases lay flat, have a small mesh pocket, and some pen storage. Honestly, they remind me more of a wallet than a gadget case, but you could argue either way.

The pastel colors are a huge plus here—fun, fresh, and definitely more my vibe than plain black nylon.

Hard Pass - The Doughnut Series: The Doughnut brand pouches are adorable, whether it’s the crossbody phone bags or the tiny backpacks. But for me, they’re just not practical. They don’t lay flat, don’t have the right kind of compartments, and won’t hold half of what I carry. Plus, I want a pouch that can fit inside another bag. Still, they’re too cute not to mention in case someone else is tempted.

So. Should I upgrade or not? To be honest, I might just keep my current case. Despite its limitations, it has served me faithfully for literal decades. Do I really need to upgrade, or am I just looking for an excuse to buy something new? Hard to say.

That said, the new Hobonichi pocket drawer pouches are looking awfully promising, especially if I use one to finally tackle my wallet problem.

Current Mood: pleased
Current Location: Work
Current Music: Sugar on My Tongue - Tyler the Creator

I’ve been intentionally quiet this past week, keeping tabs on Hobonichi’s daily updates for their 2026 lineup. My original plan was to save all my thoughts until the full reveal, but I just can’t keep this in any longer!

They’re absolutely killing it so far! We’ve got gorgeous new covers in fresh colors, and themed designs from Moomin and Kyohei Sakaguchi. Mina perhonen’s pastel textile patterns are beautiful, and One Piece fans — you’re in luck again.

But my Elder Millennial heart nearly burst when I saw the Tamagotchi collaboration. Oh my God, did I have (and accidentally kill) so many Tamagotchis in middle school. This one’s going to be hard to resist.

There are still a few days left in the release schedule, and I’m itching to see what’s next. If this is the warm-up, the finale’s going to be spectacular.

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Location: Work
Current Music: One Thing Leads to Another - The Fixx

I know it’s still a few months away, but the planner tingles have officially started. Hobonichi is previewing their 2026 Techo lineup already, and despite my best intentions to move on from the Cousin, I’m rethinking everything. Again.

The truth is: I have a lot to plan, track, and organize. And even though I’ve looked into a bunch of systems (undated, travelers, notebooks held together with spit and a prayer), I still haven’t found The One.

Right now, I use two core planners—not counting my one-off trackers like my Gardening Journal and Reading Log. Those are asides. The two mainstays are:

My Torah Study Planner: This one’s solid. An undated Moleskine weekly planner paired with a lined notebook. It works beautifully for Mishnah Yomi, note-taking, and any deep-dives I do. No complaints here, I’ll be using another one come Tishrei.
My Personal Planner: This is where things get questionable. Here’s everything I want this planner to do:

Must Haves

Weekly Plan 
Absolutely non-negotiable. I need to see the week laid out clearly so I know what’s coming up. Appointments, deadlines, and reminders all go here. Bonus points if there’s a little space to jot down a weekly to-do list (stuff like “make a phone call” or “schedule a doctor’s appointment”).

Daily Plan / To-Do List 
I use this space for both appointments and daily tasks. I also like to track recurring routines here—especially my five essential daily tasks (more on those in a second). It’s basically the main hub of day-to-day activity for me.

Essential Five Tracker 
Every day, I try to do five specific things that help me feel grounded and productive or I’m “off” the rest of the day (this is the OCD speaking). I need a space (even just five checkboxes per day!) to mark them off.

Media Tracker + Media Planner 
These are two different needs that don’t often show up together in pre-made planners. I want a monthly calendar for planning (like when a new movie or show drops) and a weekly or daily space to log what I actually watched. I do keep reviews on Letterboxd, but I want that at-a-glance visibility in a physical format, too.

Space for Writing / Journaling 
This includes creative writing, quote collection, writing prompts, or any random thoughts I want to scribble down. It doesn’t need to be huge—just consistent and reliable. I have the 5-year Journal that I absolutely love and keep up with religiously, but the writing section in the planner is more for getting the creative juices flowing and less for personal reflecting.

Cycle Tracking 
No explanation needed, just something small and easy to update.

Optional

Workout Tracking 
This one’s optional. I do track workouts on my phone and Apple Watch, but I like seeing progress on paper. There’s something satisfying about it. Still, not essential.

Meal Logging
 I am terrible at meal planning. Hate it. Instead, I prefer to track what I did eat and then reflect on patterns. So, I don’t need a meal planner—just a log.

Tarot Tracking 
This year I’ve been doing a daily tarot card project in a Hobonichi Weeks. It’s been a fun experiment, but I think I’ll wrap it up at the end of December. I might not need to continue this one into 2026.

One Planner or Many?
Here’s the catch: if I go with just one planner, the Hobonichi Weeks is out. It’s great as a weekly planner, and could work perfectly as a media tracker or log—but it just doesn’t have the space or flexibility to do everything.

I’ve made peace with the idea that I might need multiple planners again. It’s not ideal, especially with my ADHD acting like it’s done lines in the bathroom before a big presentation, but it’s manageable. I’ve done it before. In fact, over the weekend I put together several Traveler’s Notebooks to test out potential systems. I planned planners. (It’s fine. I’m fine.)

Luckily, I have time. Five months before the new year rolls in, and I don’t need to rush into a decision. Hobonichi’s 2026 planners go on sale in the US on September 1st, so I’ll wait and see what’s in the full lineup before committing to anything. In the meantime, I’m going to keep experimenting, tweaking, and dreaming up the perfect setup.

Current Mood: impressed
Current Location: Home

You already know I have a lot of Uni-ball One P gel pens. They’re short, fat, cute, and pair beautifully with just about every Hobonichi Techo layout I’ve ever used. But I’ve recently met a new contender for my favorite Uni-ball gel pen: the One P’s sleek sister, the Zento.

I picked up two Zento pens to try—one with a 0.5mm tip in black ink, and the other with a 0.38mm tip in blue. And good lord, do I love these pens!

The 0.5mm is perfect for larger handwriting or for thicker paper (I'm putting it through its paces in my B5 notebook), while the 0.38mm gives you precision on smaller grids or tighter spreads. I don’t have the red ink version (yet), but if it’s anything like the other two, I imagine it performs just as smoothly. Plus, unlike the One P gel pens, the Zentos are a bit longer -- which is great if the squatter body of the One P pens cause hand cramps.

One of the biggest standouts is the grip. Both pens have a soft, almost rubbery feel that makes them super comfortable to hold. It’s not sticky or squishy—just grippy enough to stay put, even during a long journaling session.

As with most gel pens, you can expect a tiny bit of bleed-through on thinner paper. But honestly, it’s minimal and totally manageable. The Tomoe River Paper of the Hobonichi has seen worse.

These have definitely earned a spot in my Best Of series. If you’re a Uni-ball fan or just looking for a smooth, comfy gel pen with solid ink flow, the Zento is absolutely worth a test run.

About

Nina

Ninagobragh.com

February 2026

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Navigation

Picking Up Where I Left Off
Wishlist Additions: October–November Edition
My 2026 Hobonichi Haul (Plus a Purple Pen Sampler)
Have I Moved On from Index Cards?
Favorite Paper Planners According to Wirecutter
New Leuchtturm1917 Thesis Journals
Drawer Pouch Considerations
More on the Hobonichi Techo 2026 Lineup (So Far)
Choosing My Next Planner(s)
Trying out the Uni-Ball Zento

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My Stationery Life

Write Here, Write Now

Recent Entries

Picking Up Where I Left Off

Wishlist Additions: October–November Edition

My 2026 Hobonichi Haul (Plus a Purple Pen Sampler)

Have I Moved On from Index Cards?

A Brief History

Present Day

The Future

Favorite Paper Planners According to Wirecutter

New Leuchtturm1917 Thesis Journals

Drawer Pouch Considerations

More on the Hobonichi Techo 2026 Lineup (So Far)

Choosing My Next Planner(s)

Trying out the Uni-Ball Zento

About

February 2026

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