Office Supply Geek and Pen Addict have weighed in on the new SHARPIE STAINLESS STEEL PEN and wow, it’s a thing of beauty. Despite currently carrying on a renewed love affair with my Lamy pens, the Stainless Steel Sharpie Pen has been able to command my full attention. (Shiny things tend to do that) You know a pen is made of awesome when I’m willing to head out to a store 20 minutes before they close IN A SNOWSTORM to obtain one!

Here’s a close up of both the Original Sharpie Stainless Steel Marker and the new Stainless Steel pen. As noted in other reviews, the logo is painted rather than etched into the pen. I haven’t yet decided how I feel about this downgrade. Though if I’m characterizing it as a “downgrade” it’s probably leaning towards thumbs down.

The barrel design is virtually identical to the previous incarnation so what’s most exciting – besides the amazing shininess – is the fact the pen is now sustainable. That’s right, once they stock the refills, you won’t ever have to buy another Sharpie pen in this model AGAIN. That’s a big deal for someone like me, who while not always being the most shining example of sustainability, I am also not a fan of pens that can’t be refilled/hacked/reused. It frustrates me so much to have a perfectly good pen barrel that has to be tossed out because there’s no way to refill it, especially if it’s not able to be recycled.

Similar to the Stainless Steel Marker, the pen unscrews in the middle to release the cartridge. I guess this whole thing gets tossed when it’s spent. Given how punishing I can be on a nib, that’s probably a very good thing. Babby would not let me hack an older pen grip to see if I could DIY my own cartridge. And after coming to my senses, I realize this was very good of him. Actually, my chief complaint about this pen is the damn cap does not stay affixed to the top of the barrel. It kind of wobbles back and forth if you’re going at a steady click the way I tend to write. It seems more annoying that it doesn’t actually fall off, but merely looks like it might. And with my often less than dainty way of securing caps to the top of the barrel I’m liable to damage the thing if I don’t just set it aside until I’m done writing.

Some gratuitous nib pr0n. Nothing else to say about this shot.

I didn’t observe any notable difference in writing performance – aside from the stainless steel material feeling more substantial in my hand – between the new stainless steel pen and the previous model. That said, I still prefer it to the original model because of the uncluttered look of the barrel, the shininess and of course, the fact I can refill it. And at $6 it’s a lot of writing fabulosity at a rock bottom price!

The day has finally come: my beloved Post-it Flag Pen Classic has been discontinued. To be fair this probably happened awhile ago, but it was only recently that I got official confirmation when I contacted 3M to find out where I could purchase more. Now if I wanted to buy 100 at a time I could go to one of those pen wholesalers, but seriously, let’s hope it doesn’t to come to that. Favorite office products being discontinued seems to happen to be on a regular basis so I’m not sure why this came as such a surprise. I mean I don’t even know anyone who uses this pen! It is my daily default pen and besides the fact I love the barrel, there’s nothing especially remarkable about its performance. I don’t even use the flags! I’m so glad I snagged so many at this time last year. What about you? What cherished office supply products have been discontinued? Which ones do you wish would come back?

Target’s $1 front-of-the-store craptatorium was on fire the day I found these pens. Last time I was felled by love of Hello Kitty I walked away from the experience decidedly disappointed. Not so this time! Maybe it was a bad batch or old inventory happening with the prior purchase, because these pens were actually kind of awesome. Because they’re Hello Kitty there’s no need to wax about their adorableness. Because they’re Hello Kitty there’s no need to expect high quality writing performance. Perhaps it is possible to find high performing Hello Kitty pens – probably in the same fantagical universe where Staples Opiflow pens don’t tear up your paper when you try to write – but I’m not girl for that quest.

At $1 a pop these are perfect for adding a little cute to your lost leader pen cup!

I am a bit of a planner junkie. I have no qualms about juggling several planners at once even if it does sort of defeat the purpose of having a planner in the first place. I am adept at rationalizing why I need a separate planner for gym visits, writing projects and work stuffs. And damn it, if I find Moleskine color-a-day planner for under $10 (like I did two years) I’ll buy that bad boy too.

“She’s poetry in motion a beautiful to sight see…”

Last January I sauntered into Barnes & Noble with a crisp $10 bill and a dream; get my fancy pants planner as I had done every year they’d been in production. Except THEY WERE ALREADY GONE. None on the website and I was left with nothing but disappointment and craftfail dreams of making my own. Not this year. This year I got myself to Barnes & Noble immediately after Christmas and Babby bought me one for the blowout bargain bonanza price of $9.60.

“She’s foxy classy, sexy sassy…”

And like Parker Lewis, you just can’t lose with this kind of seductive copy:

The 2012 edition in the popular and long-running Barnes & Noble Desk Diary series showcases the golden age of American book cover design. Renowned rare-book archivist and curator Richard Minsky provides dozens of extravagantly colored and evocatively designed examples dating from 1882 to 1915, with brief descriptive text…This handsome, richly illustrated, hardcover planner comes in a beautifully designed gift box and provides a convenient weekly agenda format, monthly calendar grids, and a year of captivating literary art in a durable, quality binding. Also included is a quiz on famous works of literature, lists of prize-winning books and authors, an 8-page supplement of classic world maps, and other special features. (source)



“She’s built she’s stacked she’s got all the curves a man likes…”

Measuring in at a purse/messenger bag-punishing 11.02 x 8.78 x 1.03 this hardbound desk diary is not for those who like to plan on the go. In fact when compared to the 2010 model (bottom) the 2012 desk diary (top) looks like it’s not the only thing at my house to add some heft to its frame.



“Her body measurements are perfect in every dimension she gotta a figure sure to get attention…”

But can this fancy, gilded edged, hardbound diva actually get its plan on? Yes and…no. This won’t go against any motherly wisdom if I tell you sometimes pretty things aren’t always as functional as you’d like. For starters, what do planner makers have against people planning their weekends just as action packed as their weekdays? If you’re a freelancer (or a lapsed freelancer like me) half the time you wouldn’t even know what day it was if it weren’t for a planner. I don’t really differentiate between days. Mine is one continuous Tuesday, if the truth be told. Which means weekends have a lot more going on than the four lines allotted for them. While each month contains both a double page month-a-glance page and some space to jot down an overview of monthly activities, I’d really like to see a “Notes” section incorporated into each month’s section rather than the end. The other thing: my day starts earlier than 8am sometimes and usually ends later than 6pm. Of course maybe my planner’s trying to tell me something.



“Na na na na na na na na na na na na…woo, hoo…”

The paper is fantastically luxe and seems an improvement in quality from previous models. Bleed through is minimal, though with permanent markers I noticed it more than with my Lamy Safari rollerball. That said, even at the full retail price of $19.95 this is still a lot of planner for the buck and definitely DTPW? approved. But you’ll have to hurry because they fly out the door when they’re on discount.

I keep humming this while I play around with the planner.


Filed under: Barnes and Noble, Blowout Bargain Bonanza, Daily Arsenal, Planners and Calendars, Stuffs Babby bought me, Tools of the Trade Tagged: 2012 Barnes and Noble Desk Diary, holiday discounts, office supplies, Planners ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/shes-a-bad-mama-planner-2012-barnes-noble-desk-diary/feed/ 4 snarkysmachine GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/one-minute-reviews-lego-star-wars-connect-and-build-pens/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/one-minute-reviews-lego-star-wars-connect-and-build-pens/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:01:39 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3139 ]]>

You know I can’t turn loose a novelty pen and when combined with anything Star Wars related…well it’s just going to be virtually impossible to say too much bad.



The Lego Star Wars Connect and Build Pen have been a part of my stable of novelty pens since I received Darth Vader a year or two ago from Babby. I’ll be honest that I wasn’t especially thrilled with the way Lord Vader handled daily wear and tear. Within about a week of moderate use his little cape was just as raggedy as it could be. I finally had to put the cape out of its misery because I couldn’t keep that janky cape on such a stylish and ruthless leader.



The poor Stoormtrooper lost his little hands minutes after this photo was snapped. But let’s talk turkey: with hands…without hands, there’s probably not gonna be a noticeable change in a stormtroopers competency. Basically, this means this is not really a pen/toy for little kids. There are way too many tiny pieces. Leaving aside choking hazard, I’m talking about aggravation hazard as you will be nagged half to death to find the lost pieces of this pen because they are tiny and not especially stable. Still, I do think the pen is super cute. However it is NOT a mini figure. The figure part doesn’t come off. so if you’re considering buying it for that reason your mellow will be harshed.



Just writing with the pens will knock the Carmen Miranda hats right off the top. Let’s not even talk about how silly those random shiny pieces look on top of the pens. I don’t think you’re supposed to put them all on at once, but I don’t know what else to do with them, since I only got about ten minutes of fun connecting and disconnecting them from the pens.



The ink is standard black ballpoint fare and I think the pen is refillable. I haven’t figured out how to do that just yet, but so far it hasn’t been a pressing need. These pens write FOREVER! And price isn’t bad either. usually between $5 – $7!

I covet the C-3P0 pen!


Filed under: Cabin Fever Cures, Novelty Pens, One Minute Reviews, Stuffs Babby bought me Tagged: Barnes and Noble, Lego Star Wars, Lego Star Wars Connect and Build Pen, novelty pens ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/one-minute-reviews-lego-star-wars-connect-and-build-pens/feed/ 1 snarkysmachine star wars pens stormtrooper pen GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/did-you-miss-me/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/did-you-miss-me/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:48:37 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3111 ]]>

Happy New Year, everyone. It’s been a few since I last updated this blog. I had always planned to return to pen blogging after the new year so here I am. I haven’t been totally out of the office supply game. I’ve been doing a lot of instagraming and that’s usually a good daily record of what’s in my daily arsenal. In addition, I’m also in the middle of yet another ambitious home improvement project at Devlin-McGregor Pharmaceuticals – a.k.a my digs in Syracuse. But that’ll be another series of posts; there has been a lot of laughter and lulz regarding that! Also, look for another series of Home Office at the End of the World posts. And of course some ACTUAL product reviews. I tell you what, it’s gonna be a great 2012, y’all. Thanks for being loyal readers.

Where else you can find me:

@doesthispen
my instagram photos

An old school goth club jam to get the party started.


Filed under: Hey, instagram, This Has Nothing to Do With Pens, To the future and step on it! ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/did-you-miss-me/feed/ 0 snarkysmachine did you miss me http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/classic-broadline-markers-cra-z-art-vs-crayola/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/classic-broadline-markers-cra-z-art-vs-crayola/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:18:57 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3057 ]]>

During the school supply season, which sadly is winding down, I noticed some of the big box retailers had replaced the low cost Crayola alternative Rose Art with an even lower cost alternative Cra-Z-Art. I don’t know if has always gone on, but I only noticed it recently when I realized the cheaper brand I was carting to the register was not the oft purchased Rose Art, but a plucky upstart!



The differences are most notable in the materials used in Cra-Z-Art markers. I noticed a marked decline in plastic quality of the Cra-Z-Art, which only is a problem if you are trying to balance value with durability. Rose Art is the better Crayola knockoff.





Line performance was okay, but the ink itself seems a bit ashy when compared to the Crayola hues each marker attempted to approximate. It’s only going to be noticeable when in direct competition, but it’s something to consider since the price was only about $.10 cheaper than Rose Art. Also, these are not as durable when put to the “misplaced cap” test. After about ten minutes sans cap, the pink marker was streaky and worthless. I revived it with some water, but well, cheap markers are never quite right after that.


Filed under: Art Supplies, Blowout Bargain Bonanza, Crayola, Markers, Tools of the Trade ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/classic-broadline-markers-cra-z-art-vs-crayola/feed/ 1 snarkysmachine crazartcrayola crazyart2 crazyart3 crazy4 http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/one-minute-reviews-sharpie-pens-in-new-colors/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/one-minute-reviews-sharpie-pens-in-new-colors/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:12:17 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3068 ]]>

Sharpie Pens continue to both fascinate and frustrate me. When they’re good they’re great, but when they’re bad…well you know the rest of the story. Still, I did squee when I spied the new colors – okay, not the peach so much, but definitely the pink and the aqua.



I don’t have one of the other ones in grabbing distance, but based on feel alone, I already like this incarnation better than the previous. I’m nervous about the barrel material because I do not have a delicate touch and tend to grip my writing instruments like they’ve been bad. Still, the barrel did not snap in half as I wrote so maybe I shouldn’t freak out too much about it.



I scored mine on clearance at Wally World for $3.97, which is a good deal. Still, I would have paid more and stil felt I’d gotten value for my cashmoney. Sharpie Pens are a really innovative product at an accessible price point. Also, THEY HAVE NO SMELL. For fans of that Sharpie smell this might be a bummer, but for me (not a fan of that smell) this is really exciting.



The ink is pretty much like all the other Sharpie Pens, though I am a little bummed the aqua ink isn’t more vibrant. The pink is the real showstopper of the package; the other colors were just to meh for my tastes, but I’m sure someone squeed when they saw them so I’m not going clown those colors. And if you are one of those people who went squee over the green and the peach please comment and say so. You can have mine!

Sharpie Fans, what are your thoughts on the new colors and redesigned grip?


Filed under: Blowout Bargain Bonanza, Markers, One Minute Reviews, Sharpie Products, Stuffs Babby bought me ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/one-minute-reviews-sharpie-pens-in-new-colors/feed/ 7 snarkysmachine sharpieomatic sharpieomatic2 sharpiematic3 sharpieomatic5 http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/missoni-for-target/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/missoni-for-target/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:58:46 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3004 ]]>

The scalpers have already hit ebay with some of the hotly anticipated items from the Missoni for Target collection. From what I have seen of the collection (which does not feature a single plus sized item) I can’t say there are tons of things I like. Still there are a few cute things. Okay, Missoni or not who buys patio furniture at full price in September? The collection drops 9/13. Who’s excited? And what if any of the 400 pieces are you lusting after?




Filed under: Blowout Bargain Bonanza, In Case You Missed It, This Has Nothing to Do With Pens ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/missoni-for-target/feed/ 4 snarkysmachine 6035871680_b01ccb6b25_o 04MISSONI081611_rect540 6035317935_43d87a0e23_o 6035313667_c8b79c2d4a_o 6035316625_c33d59b1ab_o http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/fresh-or-tired-pilot-frixion-erasable-pen/ http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/fresh-or-tired-pilot-frixion-erasable-pen/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:30:19 +0000 Snarky's Machine http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/?p=3024 ]]>

It took Borders flat lining for me to finally say, “hey, now is as good a time as any to try Pilot FriXion Erasable Pen.” 80% off the listed price of $4.99 for a two pack seemed to be sweet spot for me to try a pen that evoked those disappointing erasable pens of junior high.



The barrel reminds me the 90s “put the word EXTREME in front of everything” craze, which resulted in a lot unremarkable products relying on pitch people without inside voices and use of jump/shutter cuts that bordered on criminal.That’s okay, because Pilot could benefit from more jazzy barrel designs (in my opinion).



The pen is interesting because it doesn’t so much erase as it acts as a coat of primer that renders the ink colorless but not exactly erased. I’m sure there’s something notable about this distinction, but honestly after 15 minutes writing swear words and then “erasing” them I couldn’t tell a difference between “erasing” and “rendering the ink colorless”.



The pen smells EXACTLY like junior high misery. That same faintly rubbery smell of misspelled vocab words. This is amusing, but also kind of a downer. I have two friends who swear by this pen and honestly, I just don’t get it. It’s a nice enough pen, but nothing spectacular and I still don’t like the whole erasable pen concept. Here’s your chance to set me straight. Tell me all about this pen. Help me see the error of my ways.


Filed under: Blowout Bargain Bonanza, Blue Ink, Fresh or Tired, Gel Pens ]]> http://doesthispenwrite.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/fresh-or-tired-pilot-frixion-erasable-pen/feed/ 6 snarkysmachine GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA