The Weekly Wrap: October 24, 2021

Hello, my name is Meghan and I can't stop visiting stationery stores. If it sells journals, notebooks, pens, pencils, cards, or anything of the sort, I must stop in for a visit. Usually, I leave with at least one new purchase.

One of my hobbies is sending out snail mail. While I don't get to do it as much as I used to, I still have a box of notecards and stationery readily available and I add new items to it regularly. Additionally, I love handwriting - whether it be calligraphy, hand lettering, or simply putting pen to paper. The act of writing by hand is something I enjoy immensely. So, sending snail mail is a great way for me to indulge my hobby. Plus, who doesn't like getting a friendly piece of mail these days?

When it comes to stationery stores, I love dropping in to see their wares. While the stores all sell the same sorts of things, they each have their own vibe. Some are modern and type A, others are quaint or crafty - they all make me happy. I think one reason I love stationery stores is that you don't need anything in them. They're an indulgence - but a simple indulgence. It feels like a treat to shop there but one I don't feel guilty about. I can walk away with a full bag of stuff, single notecard, or nothing at all and still feel like my time was well spent. 

On Friday, I visited Jenni Bick, a store not too far from my home. I needed a new notebook for my 2022 bullet journal. While I was there I picked up some notecards and a packet of thank you cards. (Life pro tip: Always keep a packet of thank you cards on hand.) I enjoyed looking at the washi tape, pens, stickers, and one of a kind journals. While I was there, I overheard a staffer and customer chatting about the qualities of fountain pens in specific notebooks. I left the store happy. 

What stores are you unable to pass up?

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• Small talk is coming back. We could all probably use a refresher. [Real Simple]
• Reese's peanut butter pumpkins just taste better. [Better Homes & Gardens - reader submission]
• How to start a cookbook club. [Wit and Delight]
• Hearing versus listening. [Intelligent Change]
• How often should you wash that piece of clothing? [Real Simple]
• Bones Day: An Explainer [NPR]
• On letterboards and the mamasphere. [Mothers Under the Influence]
• Meth is not a new drug, but innovations to how it's made have far reaching impacts. [The Atlantic]

• Beaver wetlands help slow wildfires. [NPR]
• It pays to be kind. [The Indicator]
• The rise and fall and resurgence of margarine. [99% Invisible]
• There's a lot to learn about the lamprey. [Short Wave]
• The extraordinary Dr. Joycelyn Elders fought to teach sexual health her entire career. [Science Vs]

• Ghost marshmallows! [@emcdowell]
• You only need two tablespoons of detergent for a load of laundry. [@wirecutter]
• You don't always have the right to repair your own stuff. [Daily Show]
• A brilliant piece of choreography. [Paris 2024]

• I made lox from scratch! They looked and smelled fine. Tasted like the real thing… but I would be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous I might have poisoned myself. That said, I've eaten them three times now and am definitely planning on making them again. Maybe even next week. [What Jew Wanna Eat]
• Tried out some naan caprese pizzas. The pizzas were super easy. I managed to over reduce the balsamic again. Gotta work on that. [Budget Bytes]
• Want the flavor of lasagna but a lot less prep work? Try out baked ravioli and chicken sausage. Super simple but lots of tasty. This is a regular dish on our menu. [Real Simple]

• I am fortunate to work for an employer and boss who value using vacation days. My boss regularly reminds the staff to use any days we might lose at the end of the year. So, I took Friday off. I didn't need to take Friday off. It was just a day off work and it was glorious. I did some productive things at home, visited that stationery shop from above, and then bummed around on the internet... all while my kiddo was at daycare. So, if you can, just take a random weekday off. It's refreshing.