<p>Household stationery isn’t “our precious pens and paper in our study” — it’s the everyday tools that keep a home ticking. We talk freezer-proof labels, kitchen whiteboards, year-at-a-glance calendars we forget to update, junk-drawer essentials, elastic bands vs Velcro ties for cables, and even a full Kanban wall system that helps a building business run. </p><p>Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we need help decoding), why shrink-wrap on notebooks should be illegal, and the enduring magic of handwritten notes in old recipe books.</p><p>What We Cover</p><ul><li><strong>Labelling the real world:</strong> freezer labels that don’t fall off, pens that actually write on them, and why chalk pens disappointed.</li><li><strong>Whiteboards at home:</strong> revision, “blurting” study technique, and why office whiteboards triple in size the moment they enter a house.</li><li><strong>Family calendars:</strong> wall planners vs Google Calendar; how to stop answering “What’s for tea?” 47 times.</li><li><strong>The junk drawer:</strong> string, Sellotape ends, last 3 Post-its, elastic bands—and occasionally £40.</li><li><strong>Cable wrangling:</strong> elastic bands vs <strong>Velcro</strong> ties (and cats stealing the Velcro).</li><li><strong>Kitchen Kanban:</strong> a visual, Post-it based board for a builder’s workload (columns from “mentioned” to “invoiced”).</li><li><strong>Notes on doors:</strong> Berlin-style paper rolls to leave messages (and why phones killed the habit).</li><li><strong>Measuring kids’ growth:</strong> doorframe ticks vs logging in Apple Notes.</li><li><strong>Sticky label removal:</strong> we’ve tried dishwasher runs, washing-up liquid, alcohol… still tacky! (Your hacks welcome.)</li><li><strong>Brands behaving oddly:</strong> a <strong>Moleskine</strong> “travel case” too small for a Cahier; shrink-wrapped notebooks you can’t test.</li><li><strong>Why we love marginalia:</strong> old cookbooks and Reader’s Digest repair manuals with handwritten tweaks.</li><li><strong>Content recommendations:</strong> Andrew Huberman’s interview with Steven Pressfield (resistance, turning pro, doing the work).</li><li><strong>Event tease:</strong> Rob &amp; Helen at a November stationery event (with a shop… send help).</li></ul><p><strong>Listener Shout-Outs</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Lisa (In Berlin, in a kitchen):</strong> topic idea + brilliant list — thank you Lisa!</li><li><strong>Nat:</strong> for sending <strong>Magic Click</strong> (and introducing us to Barbara Thames’ creativity/play angle).</li><li>Anonymous newsletter supporter: your generosity genuinely helps keep this ad-free. Thank you!</li></ul><p><strong>Resources &amp; Mentions</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.barbaratammes.com/portfolio-collections/my-portfolio/magic-click"><strong>Magic Click</strong></a> colour-pen system — creator <strong>Barbara Tammes</strong> (if you’ve used it, tell us how!).</li><li><strong>Label makers:</strong> <strong>DYMO</strong>.</li><li><strong>Notebooks &amp; shops:</strong> <strong>Moleskine</strong>, <strong>Waterstones</strong>, <strong>Dingbats</strong> (reporter), <strong>Tom’s Studio</strong> (pens &amp; inks).</li><li><strong>Other:</strong> <strong>Vinted</strong> (finds), <strong>Nokia</strong> notebooks at a conference, <strong>Reader’s Digest</strong> Repair Manuals, <strong>The Newt</strong> (Somerset).</li><li><strong>Podcasts:</strong> Steven Pressfield — <em>The War of Art</em>, <em>Turning Pro</em>; Dr <strong>Andrew Huberman</strong> interview with Steven Pressfield.</li></ul><p><strong>Where to Find Us</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Newsletter &amp; archive:</strong> stationeryfreaks.com → Substack</li><li><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stationeryfreaksuk/">@stationeryfreaksuk</a></li><li><strong>Say hello / ideas:</strong> via the website or Insta DMs</li></ul>

Stationery Freaks

Rob Lambert & Helen Lisowski

Household Stationery That Actually Helps: Labels, Whiteboards, Junk Drawers & Kitchen Kanban | Stationery Freaks Podcast

OCT 27, 202543 MIN
Stationery Freaks

Household Stationery That Actually Helps: Labels, Whiteboards, Junk Drawers & Kitchen Kanban | Stationery Freaks Podcast

OCT 27, 202543 MIN

Description

Household stationery isn’t “our precious pens and paper in our study” — it’s the everyday tools that keep a home ticking. We talk freezer-proof labels, kitchen whiteboards, year-at-a-glance calendars we forget to update, junk-drawer essentials, elastic bands vs Velcro ties for cables, and even a full Kanban wall system that helps a building business run. Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we need help decoding), why shrink-wrap on notebooks should be illegal, and the enduring magic of handwritten notes in old recipe books.What We CoverLabelling the real world: freezer labels that don’t fall off, pens that actually write on them, and why chalk pens disappointed.Whiteboards at home: revision, “blurting” study technique, and why office whiteboards triple in size the moment they enter a house.Family calendars: wall planners vs Google Calendar; how to stop answering “What’s for tea?” 47 times.The junk drawer: string, Sellotape ends, last 3 Post-its, elastic bands—and occasionally £40.Cable wrangling: elastic bands vs Velcro ties (and cats stealing the Velcro).Kitchen Kanban: a visual, Post-it based board for a builder’s workload (columns from “mentioned” to “invoiced”).Notes on doors: Berlin-style paper rolls to leave messages (and why phones killed the habit).Measuring kids’ growth: doorframe ticks vs logging in Apple Notes.Sticky label removal: we’ve tried dishwasher runs, washing-up liquid, alcohol… still tacky! (Your hacks welcome.)Brands behaving oddly: a Moleskine “travel case” too small for a Cahier; shrink-wrapped notebooks you can’t test.Why we love marginalia: old cookbooks and Reader’s Digest repair manuals with handwritten tweaks.Content recommendations: Andrew Huberman’s interview with Steven Pressfield (resistance, turning pro, doing the work).Event tease: Rob & Helen at a November stationery event (with a shop… send help).Listener Shout-OutsLisa (In Berlin, in a kitchen): topic idea + brilliant list — thank you Lisa!Nat: for sending Magic Click (and introducing us to Barbara Thames’ creativity/play angle).Anonymous newsletter supporter: your generosity genuinely helps keep this ad-free. Thank you!Resources & MentionsMagic Click colour-pen system — creator Barbara Tammes (if you’ve used it, tell us how!).Label makers: DYMO.Notebooks & shops: Moleskine, Waterstones, Dingbats (reporter), Tom’s Studio (pens & inks).Other: Vinted (finds), Nokia notebooks at a conference, Reader’s Digest Repair Manuals, The Newt (Somerset).Podcasts: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Turning Pro; Dr Andrew Huberman interview with Steven Pressfield.Where to Find UsNewsletter & archive: stationeryfreaks.com → SubstackInstagram: @stationeryfreaksukSay hello / ideas: via the website or Insta DMs