I've confessed it elsewhere on this site – I have a thing for nice writing supplies: Cool white paper that feels smooth to the touch, a fat pen that flows like water, notebooks of heft and quality. That's why I was so happy with my Father's Day gift of a gift card to Levenger.
Levenger makes great, high-quality writing and reading aids. I love their beautiful and luxurious products. There's something about writing with good instruments that inspires me to loftier thoughts. It's like I have to create output worthy of my tools.
I'm already in love with Levenger's heavy-weight 3x5 cards, which I carry in my handy Levenger 3x5 Pen Pocket Briefcase.
So, for Father's Day I picked up my first items in Levenger's Circa System (That's another thing I love – "systems." Having a "system" is like havinga promise of organization.). Circa is essentially a line of pre-punched papers that you can insert into binders without having to open the rings. I got this nifty Leather Binder that folds completely open, so I can hold the notebook like a writing pad. Of course, I had to buy some additional binder inserts (what's the point of a "system" if you don't take advantage of its many components?) like page dividers, business card holders and, it should go without saying, holders for my beloved 3x5 cards.
The whole thing feels great to carry around and write with. Seeing has how I do most of my writing on the computer, it's a bit of a luxury. But as my leader at The Podcast Network, Cameron Reilly and I were discussing the other day; handwriting activates different sections of your brain than typing on a keyboard does. So, my notebook isn't an indulgence – it's a Brain Activation System. And you know how much I love a good system!
Oh Levenger, how I love thee. I love getting the new catalogs and flipping through, imagining that I have all those implements.
I use their letter pads at work and I absolutely love them. As you said the paper just feels so good and of course people don't take my notepad. It is obvious that it isn't just the generic, from the stock room stuff.
Posted by: laanba | July 02, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Scott,
Do you use a fountain pen, ballpoint pen or rollerball? I've used a fountain pen all my life and find that the perfect pen inspires as well as satisfies. There's nothing quite like the feel of the perfect pen in your hand...and don't get me talking about the perfect ink!! Office supply stores have always been one of my favorite haunts...right up there with pen stores, book stores and camera stores.
Blog on, dear man!!!
Mary
Posted by: MaryG | July 02, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Levenger is the Holy Grail for reading and writing accouterments. I've been buying their products for years (and, in regard to Mary's search for the perfect ink, you could do a lot worse than Levenger's). After reading your comments about the Circa system, I decided to take the plunge. You're absolutely right: the binder is both functional and lovely; and the overall system, with its promises of optimal organization, is instant inspiration.
Please post more Levinger reviews. For instance, have you tried the big pads yet? They seem intriguing, but I'm not sold yet. Let us know what you think.
Posted by: Corey | July 06, 2007 at 01:23 PM
The big pads are called "Oasis," and, like Corey, I too have been tempted. At $30 a pop, though, plus $88 for the pad backer, it seems too steep a price to pay on a speculative basis.
Actually, I've noticed that a lot of the Levenger products, appealing as they are, are priced too high to prompt an impulse purchase.
Take the Oasis pads. I would never spend nearly $120 for a 50-sheet paper-and-pad set unless I were totally in love with it. But if I could buy an introductory package -- say, $75 for a 30-page pad, plus the backer -- I'd probably take the plunge. You've got to figure that, long term, Levenger makes its money off the paper; the pad, therefore, should be used to draw the buyer in (not leave him or her gasping for breath). Just a thought.
Anyway, I love your site. Keep it going. And do post some more comments/reviews on Levenger.
Posted by: Lee | July 11, 2007 at 01:15 PM
The big pads are called "Oasis," and, like Corey, I too have been tempted. At $30 a pop, though, plus $88 for the pad backer, it seems too steep a price to pay on a speculative basis.
Actually, I've noticed that a lot of the Levenger products, appealing as they are, are priced too high to prompt an impulse purchase.
Take the Oasis pads. I would never spend nearly $120 for a 50-sheet paper-and-pad set unless I were totally in love with it. But if I could buy an introductory package -- say, $75 for a 30-page pad, plus the backer -- I'd probably take the plunge. You've got to figure that, long term, Levenger makes its money off the paper; the pad, therefore, should be used to draw the buyer in (not leave him or her gasping for breath). Just a thought.
Anyway, I love your site. Keep it going. And do post some more comments/reviews on Levenger.
Posted by: Lee | July 11, 2007 at 01:16 PM