I’m so thrilled to see our floral tea towel featured in Ideal Home Magazine this month as part of their favourite 20 under £20 homeware picks for Summer.
From Mediterranean inspired tableware to bold, botanical covered deckchairs, our floral tea towel is in fabulous company, as Ideal Home’s Editor Heather shares her must-have buys for Summer. Showcasing natural textures, inky blue hues and soft pink accessories, the ‘New & Now’ feature is full of affordable homeware to update your indoor-outdoor living in time for the warmer weather.
Summer is the season of sunshine, alfresco dining, and relaxing in staycation style and it's the perfect time to give your home a refresh. Our floral tea towel is an effortless way to inject some colour into your kitchen, so embrace the season and let your home bloom!
You can find the '20 under £20' edit on pages 16-17 in Ideal Home Magazine, August issue 288.
Soppy sentiments and fuzzy pink love hearts are synonymous with Valentine’s Day. But for some of us, all that gushy stuff just makes our toes curl. Even if most conventional cards give you the ick, you can still make your loved one feel special on Valentine’s Day.
If you’re on the hunt for a Valentine’s Day card that’s more cool than cringe? More meaningful than mushy? We’ve got just the ticket.
Our collection of simple, understated, but just as meaningful Valentine’s Day cards are guaranteed to still make them smile without the soppiness.
Valentine’s Day is a day for celebrating all kinds of love and finding just the right Valentine’s Day card will be high on your list. Whether you’re in new relationship and want to swerve the soppy sentiments or you and your partner aren’t a particular mushy pair, keeping it simple can be just as special.
If you’re not into cheesy puns, a reluctant romantic, or just looking to make an anti-valentine smile, these alternative Valentine’s Day cards will show them how much you care without the cringe.
If you’re in the early stages of a new relationship, you probably don’t want to mention ‘love’ too soon. Our ‘’ card is perfect for letting your new bae know how much you’re into them without being OTT.
For the one you adore, even if they hate all that gushy stuff. Our Navy Terrazzo Love You Card is the perfect love note for even the most reluctant softie on Valentine’s Day.
For when you like to keep things simple when it comes to matters of the heart. ‘’ card says exactly how you feel without getting all mushy.
If you value heartfelt words, then a carefully chosen Valentine’s Day card will be an important part of your love language. Our Love You More Card is perfect for sharing ‘words of affirmation’ with your beloved. No cheesy puns here.
Love is in the air, but Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Show your bestie just how much she means to you with a You Are So Loved Daisy Card, guaranteed to make them feel special.
Shop all alternative Valentine’s Day Card
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As a small business, having our products featured in well-known publications is a huge milestone, and for me personally, it’s been an incredible achievement to see our products approved by the press.
Here’s where you might have seen The Moonlit Press featured in 2022.
Oak Leaf and Acorn Necklace as featured in Sussex Life Magazine and Hampshire Life Magazine (September 2022)
We were thrilled to spot our Oak Leaf and Acorn Necklace featured in the September 2022 issue of Sussex Life Magazine and Hampshire Life Magazine within their ‘Must Have’ Autumnal gifts edit.
Shown in the gold acorn colourway, our Oak Leaf and Acorn Necklace is the perfect seasonal accessory to embrace the earthy tones and cosy feeling of Autumn, and we think it looked fabulous next to all the other gift ideas.
Lemon Tea Towel as featured in BBC Good Food Magazine (Christmas 2022)
Our lemon tea towel was featured in the Christmas 2022 issue of BBC Good Food Magazine as part of their ‘Festive 50 Christmas Gift Guide’ for every kind of food and drink lover. A lemon tea towel makes a great gift for foodies and our fruity design certainly added some zest to this fabulous collection of ‘Home & Kitchen’ gift ideas.
Dog Tea Towel as featured in Bake & Decorate Magazine (November 2022) and Your Dog Magazine (December 2022)
Our dog tea towel was first featured in the November issue of Bake & Decorate Magazine in their ‘Pick of the Products’ gift guide. Described as ‘handy homewares’ we also spotted our blue dog tea towel in the December issue of Your Dog Magazine, as part of their ‘Dog Shopping’ pages packed with the latest doggie must-haves.
Large Dog Print Wash Bag as featured in Your Dog Magazine (December 2022), Horse & Hound Magazine (December 2022) and Countryside Magazine (December 2022)
A firm favourite with dog lovers, our new large dog print wash bag, was a hit with the press too. Available in pink or blue, our dog wash bag was featured in Your Dog Magazine’s ‘Dog Shopping’ edit, Horse & Hound’s ‘Presents to Please’ Christmas gift guide and Countryside Magazine’s ’50 Presents for under £50’ gift guide. Who doesn’t love homeware covered in handsome hounds!
Blue Floral Wash Bag as featured in Home Style Magazine (November 2022)
We were delighted to see our blue floral wash bag in the November issue of Home Style Magazine as part of their ‘Things To Do in November’ feature. The ‘Style Switch’ showcased our newly launched homeware collection, shining a spotlight on our floral designs as an easy decor update to try in November.
Floral Tea Towel as featured in The Guardian (November 2022), Home Style Magazine (November 2022) and Homes & Interiors Scotland (Nov/Dec 2022)
Our floral tea towel was by far, our most popular new release of 2022 and an instant hit with the press too, featuring in The Guardian’s Christmas gift guide and Home Style Magazine’s ‘Things To Do in November’. If that wasn’t exciting enough, we also spotted our sustainable tea towels in Homes & Interiors Scotland Magazine in their ‘Eco News’ feature – a match made in eco-heaven!
Monstera Keyring as featured in The Guardian – Saturday Magazine Issue No 61 (November 2022)
Our best-selling monstera keyring was featured in The Guardian Saturday Magazine’s ‘Christmas gift guide’. Published in print and online, we were over the moon to spot this great little stocking filler in The Guardian’s ‘£10 & Under’ gift ideas – our monstera keyring has always been a real favourite with plant lovers.
Shop all our press approved products
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From stocking fillers to stylish homeware gifts, The Guardian Saturday Magazine featured over 200 budget friendly Christmas gift ideas including a botanical best-seller and foodie favourite from The Moonlit Press.
This wonderful press coverage is a real highlight for our small business so here’s a closer look at the two products featured in The Guardian this month.
Made from lightweight acrylic in ‘deliciosa’ green and crafted in our Snowdonia studio, our best-selling monstera keyring is a great little gift for green fingered friends. Also known as a Swiss cheese leaf, our monstera keyring featured alongside The Guardian’s favourite affordable gifts £10 and under.
A fun little stocking filler for plant loving pals this Christmas, our monstera keyring is a must have addition to any growing houseplant collection!
Our ‘blooming lovely’ floral tea towel was also spotted in the Saturday Magazine Christmas gift guide, alongside The Guardian’s favourite homes and garden gift ideas all under £30.
Made from unbleached cotton, our floral tea towel is a great gift for foodie friends. As part of a newly launched homeware collection this Autumn, the bold and beautiful botanical prints will certainly bring some culinary cheer this Christmas.
The Guardian Christmas gift guide was published in Saturday Magazine issue 61 and can be found online here too.
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As a stationery designer and someone who will spend an embarrassing amount of time choosing just the right greeting card for friends and family, I often rely on the beautiful design to express the sentiment on my behalf. But I believe Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to shower your loved one in affection with the help of a heartfelt message. Who would say no to a love letter or two?
But what do you write in a Valentine’s card?
If you’d like to write a little more than ‘love you’ or even ‘you’ll do’ this Valentine’s Day, here’s some inspiration for when you next sit down to write a meaningful message, whoever the card is for.
The 14th February isn’t just for loved up couples, you can give a Valentine’s card to anyone special in your life whether that’s a partner, family, or your best friend. Don’t take it for granted they know how you feel and even if they do, sometimes it’s just nice to be reminded.
Express your affection for a significant other or thank a friend who means the world to you. A handwritten missive is the perfect way to remind our favourite people just how important they are to us, to keep us connected or to give us that feel good factor.
If you find yourself lost for words focus on your relationship and why that person is important to you. Make it personal and keep it specific. Writing about a shared experience or affectionately reflecting on the unique relationship you share will instantly feel heartfelt and genuine. Try one of these prompts to help get the ink flowing.
You don’t need big declarations of love or cringeworthy poems to express how much they mean to you. Reflect on something you’ve done together as a couple or as friends. Reminiscing fondly about your favourite memory together will be enough to make them smile.
Show someone you love a bit of extra appreciation with a Valentine’s card full of all the unique and wonderful reasons why you love them. Your list can be romantic, thoughtful or funny. A fun, feel-good sentiment that makes the perfect keepsake for every kind of Valentine.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romantic couples, it’s the perfect time to acknowledge and appreciate anyone important in your life. Write a thoughtful thank you to a kind-hearted lover or as a sweet gesture for a life-long friend to say thank you for their unconditional love and support.
Skip the generic ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ message and make a heartfelt promise instead. Rekindle long-term love with a handwritten vow to spend quality time as a couple. Anything from a promise, to schedule regular date nights to trying something new and exciting together in the future.
I’ve shared my reasons for sending physical greeting cards before and nurturing our most important relationships by giving Valentine’s Day cards is no different. A heartfelt message, handwritten inside a beautiful card makes the most significant people in our lives feel loved and appreciated. In our digitally driven world, such special correspondence has become extraordinary and makes for a lovely keepsake that can be treasured for years to come.
If you’re sending a little pick me up treat or a birthday gift in the post, those that can be delivered straight through the door can make gift giving so much simpler. The compact size of letterbox gifts means your loved one doesn’t have to be home, and your bee-utiful gift remains a total surprise when it arrives!
Here are five gift ideas for the bee lovers on your list, all small and light enough to fit through their letterbox.
Part of the English country garden series, our new white-tailed bumble bee print is a must have décor detail for bee enthusiasts and a thoughtful new home gift.
An original illustration designed and printed in the UK, includes all the little details and notable characteristics, to help your bee loving bestie identify a honey bee from a white-tailed bumble bee like a true apiarist. Perfect for popping through the letterbox, this A5 print will look at home in the small nook of a cosy kitchen or amongst a nature inspired gallery wall.
These delicate wing studs are a unique and subtle nod to our fuzzy friends. Made from beautiful white marble acrylic and engraved with the intricate patterns of bumblebee wings, they are a playful way to accessorise with bee inspired jewellery.
The handmade stud earrings are lightweight and designed to be comfortably worn all day with surgical steel posts, so they won’t irritate the most sensitive ears. Your bee besotted pal will love to receive such a thoughtful gift through the post.
Lightweight and probably one of the most letterbox friendly gifts around, an iron on bee patch is ideal for sending long distance to a friend who deserves a pick me up in the post.
Customising clothes with colourful patches is a fun, mini project and the iron on backing makes this cute little embroidered bee easy to apply on t-shirts, jeans and hats in minutes. A unique, little gift idea for bee lovers guaranteed to brighten their day and their clothes.
Looking for unique jewellery, for a loved one who adores bees? Our intricate bee necklace makes a real statement and a wonderful birthday gift for someone special.
Designed and handmade in our studio, this bee necklace is made of several small pieces of acrylic, painted wood and embellished by hand with crystals. A beautiful, piece of jewellery that your favourite bee lover will be buzzing to wear!
Bee-utiful and they make keys easier to find…what bumblebee lover wouldn’t need or want a bee keyring? The tactile shape saves time and stress rummaging around in the bottom of bags and the distinct gold and black design help to spot those car keys amongst the chaos of the kitchen table.
A letterbox gift that’s perfect for grandads who love spending time creating a bee friendly garden and a practical treat for that busy, bee loving friend who’s always on the go!
You can find our full collection of letterbox friendly gifts here.
]]>I’ve been a stationer for 12 years, popping cards and parcels in the post is something I do most days. I know that sending snail mail can be a little confusing, especially if it’s not something you do very often so you may have some questions like…Where should the stamp go? Is there a correct way to address an envelope? Can cards go straight in a letterbox?
If you’re sending a something special like a birthday card to a loved one, all you want is for it to arrive safely. So, here are some helpful tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, to help make posting your greeting cards within the UK a doddle.
Let’s get straight to it. Addressing envelopes isn’t complicated, but there are a few things you can do to make the Posties life a little easier and help ensure your mail is delivered without any hiccups.
Here are a few simple tips for addressing your envelopes -
You can use this guide when sending all post within the UK including greeting cards, standard letters and parcels too.
Tip – When addressing envelopes choose a ballpoint or any waterproof pen. Water based pens like felt tips and cartridge ink pens can easily smudge and worse still, completely run if wet – thanks to the British weather… not ideal for the Postie who’s left deciphering a Rorschach where the address should be!
You can send birthday cards with a 1st Class or 2nd Class stamp. The Royal Mail estimates 1-2 days for 1st Class and 2-4 days for 2nd Class, although this should always be used as a guide not a guarantee! If your card is particularly large, bulky or heavy you may need a ‘large letter’ stamp but in most cases a standard ‘letter’ stamp is all you’ll need. Stamps can be bought from your local Post Office, on the Royal Mail website, as well as newsagents, corner shops and supermarkets.
Tip – You can buy stamps in books of four or more. I try to always keep a book in the kitchen drawer and a spare book in my purse, so I’m prepared for those inevitable last-minute panics when you realise a birthday is fast approaching!
Your greeting card should come with an envelope and if you’re posting a birthday card to friends and family within the UK there are three things to consider - the size, thickness and weight of the sealed envelope.
All three of these measurements determine if you need a ‘letter’ or ‘large letter’ stamp. In most cases a ‘letter’ stamp will be perfect for posting most cards but remember adding anything else inside the envelope may add weight or thickness to the overall size. You can check with the Royal Mail for the latest size and weight guidelines here.
Tip – If you’ve chosen a birthday card that comes with a dark envelope remember that most regular pens won’t show up. You might need to use a white or silver gel pen for better readability or maybe try a paper sticker to create a clear space to write the address as normal.
Bonus Tip – Remember to always secure the envelope either by using the seal provided or with a spot of water-based glue. Envelopes pass through various sorting machines along the way and any loose flaps could get caught in the moving parts. Sealing the envelope shut will help your thoughtful card arrive in one piece!
If you’ve got the right stamp, greeting cards can be popped straight into your nearest post box. You’ll find pillar boxes and/or wall mounted boxes dotted around your local area, often in prominent locations or along the main Highstreet. As well as the Post Office, you can often find letterboxes at supermarkets too.
Each post box has a small tab just below the slot letting you know when the next collection will be including the day and the time. If you’ve missed the collection for that day, there will also be information of where the nearest late collection is – as there might still be time to catch today’s post!
Tip – If you have any worries that the card won’t arrive safely, write your own address on the flap. Adding a clearly labelled ‘return address’ on the back of the envelope will help the card find its way back to you if there were any problems with delivery.
And a bonus tip when it comes to sending and receiving greeting cards is that like most paper, envelopes can be recycled. Lots of councils now have household collections for everyday paper waste so you can pop all those used envelopes straight into the appropriate bin. Paper can also be taken to your local recycling centre or dropped off at paper banks usually tucked away at the back of supermarket car parks.
Recycling envelopes is such an easy way for us to be more sustainable and kinder to our environment because paper can be recycled several times and made into more paper! Our own kraft envelopes are made from recycled paper so they are perfect for chucking back into the recycling process to lengthen the papers lifespan even longer – amazing!
Tip – If you like using adhesive tape to seal your envelopes for a little extra security, stock up on washi tapes. Made from paper, washi tape is a brilliant eco-friendly alternative. Available in a huge choice of colours and patterns, your envelopes will look cute, are plastic free and can still be recycled.
Sending snail mail is such a personal and thoughtful gesture especially in our digitally focussed lives. Receiving a card will always make your loved one feel special so we really don’t want them getting lost in the post! Use our ‘how to’ guide and address those envelopes with confidence and ensure birthday cards, thank you notes, and those Christmas greetings are delivered safe and sound to friends and family.
To-do lists in all their forms, are a simple but brilliant tool for helping us to feel grounded and instantly more organised. With the help of technology, we have access to anything and everything right in our pocket but writing down your plans on paper has so many more benefits than just a well-planned day.
From easing my mind of worry, achieving more goals, to better digital well-being, when it comes to list making here’s why I prefer to keep it analogue!
Writing is a much more engaging process for your brain, unlike typing, creating lists by hand helps our memory. It’s much easy to recall things you’ve written down which means you’re less likely to forget those important jobs. Even if I forget my shopping list, I will often remember the order I wrote things down and roughly how many items there where, I just need to write down ‘remember the list’ now!
Putting pen to paper is a commitment to get things done. Similar to journaling, a paper to-do list helps clear the mind and improve our thought process. A clear plan on paper has intention and provides greater accountability for jobs that would otherwise get lost between apps, emails, and spreadsheets. For me, writing lists often inspires new, more creative ideas along the way, as I review my progress and make changes, I’m more likely to achieve my goals and with better results.
We rely on our phones for everything, from online banking, food shopping and appointment reminders. It often feels like our whole life is tied up in technology. For those times when you’ve forgotten your charger, the laptop unexpectedly crashes or there’s just no reception, cue the inevitable panic.
Using a paper to-do list removes that total dependency on our favourite technology and avoids unnecessary stress when things don’t go to plan. A paper list gives me complete control over my plans with unhindered access whenever I need them. There’s little point in making positive steps to manage my time efficiently for it to be so easily undone by poor reception or a dreaded flat battery.
At this point in my life, I’ve pretty much exhausted all possible variations of my password, there’s only so many memorable pet names and birthday combinations one human can remember! Then there’s the time it takes to figure out the latest app, sync it to my calendar, my tablet and laptop. While there may be certain benefits to well-designed apps for improving our hectic lives, there’s a lot to be said for keeping things simple.
The virtue of paper to-do lists are their no-frills, simplicity. I don’t need to login, worry about software updates or whether the app is taking up precious phone memory that would be better reserved for cute puppy pics. I just grab a pen and pad and I’m ready to get things done.
Between zoom meetings, online yoga classes and binge watching Line of Duty, it’s easy to spend several hours a day staring at bright screens. Our smartphones and laptops are full of wonderful distractions, affecting our productivity and prolonging our screen time. My eyes have never felt so tired.
Keeping my to-do list offline helps me stay focused and motivated. Jotting down my to-do list on paper helps clear my mind away from a constant stream of online notifications and more importantly gives my eyes a chance to rest. Knowing how often we use our devices every day, these little acts of self-care will only improve productivity and our digital well-being.
A paper to-do list is the perfect excuse to take a quiet moment to offload in your favourite spot, away from life’s distractions. Whether that’s sitting in the garden, in your favourite coffee shop or in bed before you start the day, list making helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and bring order to chaos.
Grabbing a notepad and planning the week ahead in a calm environment, reminds me to slow down and destress away from overflowing inboxes and social media notifications. Keeping my to-do list offline has been an intentional way for me to take a break with a cup of tea, feel more inspired and mentally focused on my goals without distractions.
If you’re a stationery lover, like me, you really won’t need an excuse to go shopping but treating yourself to a fancy, new to-do list can also increase your desire to tackle those jobs in style. Whether you pick a notepad to perfectly match your kitchen décor, a planner that makes your desk totally ‘gram-able or has been specifically designed to help you manage you time more efficiently at work, using nice stationery is joyful.
As a self-confessed procrastinator, practical stationery that I’m looking forward to use, creates a positive experience and helps keep me motivated. A beautiful paper to-do list is the incentive I need to get things done… oh and some cute washi tape wouldn’t hurt either!
I recently quizzed our stationery loving, Instagram community and when it came to ‘why do you love using paper to-do lists?’ the same response flooded in - the pure satisfaction from ticking off those jobs!
I agree. There’s nothing more motivating than seeing a list of things you’ve got to do and reflecting on your achievements to spur you on. You can not underestimate the rewarding feeling that comes from physically crossing off a job and the encouragement it inspires. That little tick feels good. I use a to-do list pad for the same reason, as much as I love a good spreadsheet, ticking digital boxes isn’t quite so satisfying.
Some of the replies from our Instagram followers when asked "Why do you love paper to-do lists?" (original names have been edited for privacy)
No matter the medium, whether you want to feel more productive or just less overwhelmed, any kind of list will help you. But a handwritten to-do list has some added little bonuses.
From a practical point of view, keeping my plans on paper means I’m less distracted by emails, social media and the rabbit hole that is the internet and so I’m infinitely more focused and committed to achieve my goals. As for my digital wellness, using paper to-do lists allows me to keep things simple, take screen breaks and really revel in the satisfying feeling that can only come from ticking off those jobs by hand!
If you’re looking for a fancy new planner, you can find our collection of to-do list notepads and daily organisers here.
]]>Whether you’re in need of a pick me up treat or looking for the perfect letterbox friendly gift for another Birthday in lockdown, discover our top 5 makes, inspired by the most feel-good colours of the year, according to Pantone.
Colour has the power to influence a mood, communicate a message and trigger emotions. Colour can be used to raise spirits and encourage positive feelings. Like a thoughtful gift, the perfect colour can tangibly spark joy.
The colour gurus over at Pantone know a thing or two about colour psychology and during a time when we could all do with some positive vibes, an injection of colour might just be the ticket!
The global events of the last year and the optimistic feelings of hope for the next have inevitably influenced the Color of the Year 2021. And this year, Pantone chose not one, but two colours, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow. I genuinely love this year’s pairing and Pantone’s ideology behind the selection might be worth considering when choosing the perfect gift this year.
1. Happy Sun Embroidered Patch - Warm, sunny days are on the horizon, accessorise your clothes with a ray of sunshine with easy to apply, iron on embroidered patches.
It’s hard not to feel warm and fuzzy looking at a cute little sun patch and while not the exact same shade of yellow, it makes complete sense that Illuminating Yellow is described by Pantone as a colour that conjures a promise of something sunny and friendly. The colour yellow and all things solar inspired have always embodied a feeling of strength and positivity and after the year we’ve all had I can see how Pantone settled on such an uplifting colour for 2021. Reset the mood of last year with an injection of bright and cheerful yellows!
Pantone’s colour experts handpick a new colour each year by gathering inspiration from all over the globe. Influences are taken from a surprisingly diverse range of sources including films in production, social economic conditions, new and exciting technologies and even upcoming worldwide events. The coveted Pantone Color of the Year will then trickle into the design world and you will see influences in fashion, home furnishing and even packaging design. This year it’s all about grey and yellow!
Pantone made reference to the colours of pebbles on the beach when describing Ultimate Gray and the aging of natural elements can highlight an ability to quietly persevere and encourage resilience. This sense of composure and strength echoes the sentiment of our It Will Be OK keyrings. I always saw grey as a versatile, neutral colour, an easy colour choice that suited Dad and fashion forward friends alike. But grey has a quiet strength, the perfect pairing to express a sense of pocket-sized hope.
3. Lemon Birthday Card - As we head into another year of birthdays in lockdown, a heartfelt card will mean more than ever to stay connected. Our zesty Lemon Happy Birthday Card is the ultimate holiday vibe even if that’s just a gin and tonic in the garden!
The use of colour in our products will always be a considered and thoughtful process. We all associate certain colours with quality, brand identity and even personal emotions. Even if it’s just to bring a little happiness or to evoke a warm and sunny feeling, colour is a powerful tool for expressing emotion.
So, what is Pantone? In a nutshell Pantone provide a universal language of colour. Originally created for the printing industry, Pantone created a number-based system so that colour could be accurately reproduced worldwide. By using Pantone’s standard colour system, it basically cuts out human interpretation, because my idea of the perfect pastel pink is likely to be different to someone else’s.
Pantone clearly felt that two colours were better than one when it came to expressing the mood of 2021. The colour experts at Pantone say the pairing highlights how two independent elements can come together to support each other. Practical and optimistic, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow is a colour story of strength and positivity. The global events of the last year have had a great impact on all of us. This combination of colours perfectly expresses a quiet resilience and a hope that everything is going to get brighter.
5. Balancing Heart Card - Ditch the digital world and make someone feel extra special with a handwritten card. Nothing beats receiving a traditional card in the post, a bold, abstract design like this is perfect for a thoughtful message between loved ones.
Colour can influence a mood, inspire a sense of hope and has the power to make us feel calm and reassured. According to Pantone, 2021’s colour story is of positivity and hope. Entering another year in lockdown, means gift giving from afar will sadly continue, but that also means a handwritten birthday card, or a thoughtful gift will mean more than ever. Choose joyful and optimistic yellows or calm and supportive greys and elevate your gift game with our favourite 5 mood lifting makes inspired by Pantones Color of the Year 2021.
Disclaimer * Pantone don’t actually give a monkey’s if our products are on trend and they definitely didn’t endorse or approve the products featured in this post. This is simply a collection of our favourite yellow and grey mood lifting gifts inspired by the colour psychology behind Pantone’s Color of the Year 2021!
Pantone’s Color of the Year 2021
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating Yellow
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As a professional procrastinator I wanted to share my top reasons why I think to-do lists are important and as a stationery designer how our wonderful notepads can help make life easier, and your desk prettier.
]]>I mean, if you take nothing else from this waffle, just know that our to-do lists are made with the most beautifully smooth paper, that even the most temperamental ballpoint will gleefully glide along with gusto. ‘The pure joy to write on’ paper quality is not to be missed particularly when scrawling such tasks as ‘buy more toilet roll’ or ‘submit tax return’.
There’s no denying we’ve got a lot going on at the moment whether it’s home schooling, yet another zoom meeting or just trying to stay on top of day-to-day tasks. It’s a lot.
I rarely know what day it is so staying focussed and achieving anything right now is easier said than done. There’s a lot of pressure to achieve great things during lockdown and it’s amazing if you’ve used this time to find a new hobby or re decorate your entire home but it’s also ok to just survive and get through each day as it comes.
The long days at home with no real plans for the foreseeable, have left me feeling lost at times. As obvious as it sounds, making to-do lists has been a positive way for me to add some structure to the day and helps me to feel like I’m making progress, no matter how small, in the right direction.
Physically writing everything that’s whizzing around your head down onto paper is a brilliantly simple way to organise that chaos.
A mini notepad, like our monstera to do list is perfect for popping on your bedside table to quickly jot down the next day’s most pressing jobs. Writing a quick list before bed really calms an anxious mind for a better night’s sleep too.
The smaller notepad size is ideal for a more manageable list of 6-8 jobs that is easier to tackle within a single day. Short, doable lists will give you a greater sense of achievement without feeling overwhelmed and relieve some unwanted stress at the same time.
There is something so wonderfully satisfying about physically crossing out those nagging jobs. I might be on my own, but I always include a really easy or nearly completed job at the top of my list just so that I can tick it off almost immediately for a quick boost of motivation early doors!
Whether it’s tackling the housework, meal planning, or juggling the day job around entertaining the kids, the humble to-do list is your trusty friend.
In lockdown, days can easily blur into one another and the pressure to do everything and do it well can be overwhelming. This is usually around the time I start procrastinating. I’ll do anything to put off a boring task or one that I’m worried is going to be too difficult. The next thing you know I’m sat watching videos of Kevin Bacon singing to his goats instead of doing my accounts!
A simple to-do list of small, achievable jobs can help to keep you on track and if the notepad looks beautiful on your desk or kitchen counter at the same time… even better!
Breaking the day down into small tasks can turn a pretty daunting schedule into manageable goals. Then dividing those jobs into ones that are urgent and ones that aren’t, is the stuff of to-do list making legends.
I created our peony notepad as a simple, easy to use organiser that helps with time management and to tackle the day more efficiently. By splitting tasks into ‘need to do’ and ‘nice to do’ lists you are more likely to achieve realistic goals. I am guilty of piling too many things onto my plate and almost immediately feeling crushed by a huge mountain to climb. It’s better to prioritise what is actually important or most urgent and if you’re suddenly pushed for time or plans change, the ‘nice to do’ list can be put on hold for another day.
So, there you have it, my tiptop reasons why to-do lists are important, especially while times are extra challenging.
Making lists is a small but mighty tool for adding structure to your day, keeping you focussed and creating achievable goals. The simple act of writing down all those jobs can defuse the chaos we often try to juggle in our heads.
"If the chaos is overwhelming, I start making lists. To write it down puts it in perspective." Renee Lawless
As a list lover and a stationery designer it’s essential that our notepads are functional while maximising the benefits of to-do list making, particularly when it comes to relieving stress. And for fellow stationery lovers, I can vouch that the pencil sketch designs of both of our notepads are brilliant for colouring in or in my case scribbling weird doodles around, while on the phone too.
So, go on, treat yourself to some new stationery, get all those niggling tasks down on paper and feel more organised this year with helpful, time saving to-do lists!
]]>In need of thoughtful, stocking fillers for the men in your life? We’re sharing a round-up of our favourite small, handmade Christmas gift ideas for him.
It's November so you're probably starting to think about Christmas and what you're going to get everyone this year. There’s always a lot of pressure to find the perfect present and men, especially, can be tricky to buy for. And that’s not to mention Dad who already has everything!
Every year, it feels like we always buy the same old things. You've got the socks and the booze covered but it’s nice to find something unique for the important men in our lives. And you don’t need to worry about making big grand gestures; the best gifts are heart-felt and personal, a thoughtful gift will be the present he appreciates most.
Our suggestion of small but perfectly formed gifts that are easy to post, ideal stocking fillers or just that extra little something to show how much you love them. We’ve gathered a handful of thoughtful gift ideas for Dads, presents for adventurous boyfriends and nature loving Grandads to spoil them this Christmas and to say thank you being our heroes!
For the green fingered Grandad and veggie growing Uncle, this gold bee keyring looks at home on the shed keys. The perfect gift for nature lovers, our hard wearing, enamel keychain will help make finding those pesky keys a doddle. A practical gift they can use daily, the letterbox friendly size makes it an ideal gift to send to loved ones that might not get chance to visit in person this year.
'You Are Loved' keyring is the perfect stocking filler for hard-working Dad’s. What better way to show how much they mean to you than a heartfelt message they can always carry with them. A thoughtful gift for someone special. Available in a range of fun colours, the robust and tactile shape makes keys easier to find but the thoughtful token of appreciation will mean the world to him.
A unique gift for the one who disappears to the mountains at every opportunity, loves camping under the stars and has dreams of being the ultimate woodsman. The 'House Under the Moon' print offers the perfect escapism that he’ll love, our illustrative print is the ideal gift for the adventurer who deserves a special treat this Christmas.
A thoughtful gift for the English teacher, the poet or the writer - our calligraphy nib pin is a fun little accessory for the chap who loves the written word! The silver enamel design looks so good on denim, but the versatility of pins means they can be worn on caps, bags and coat lapels too! The perfect little stocking filler that reflects his interests.
I hope our Christmas gift guide gives you some much needed inspiration for the men in your life with some ideas on how to add a small but personal touch to your gifting game this year.
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