What's on the shelf – July 🎈
I keep disappearing 🫥
July felt like such a long month for me. I feel like I’ve gone through so much in one month that I’ve understood why I’ve been having the need to recharge lately.
Honestly, I really was just counting the days until my birthday for most of the month (July is actually my birthday month!) 🥳 This year, I didn’t do anything big – just took 2 days off work and did whatever the heck I wanted. But those days off allowed me to breathe a little and just cut myself off from the stress of my (mostly work) life.
Going back, I can’t even believe I had articles written before my birthday 🤣 – so in case you missed them, here they are:
Oh the spending didn’t stop last month. It was my birthday month so I used it as an excuse to buy things. Nothing much online (most of my expenses were on experiences) except for a Brümate insulated mug and the viral Speedo Sunny G googles.
But now, I kind of have my eye on the new card game, Flip 7.
Not fountain pen related but for every single day last month, I was locked in Ryan Trahan’s (and indirectly Haley Pham’s) 50 States in 50 Days. I loved the episodes – especially the last one 🌺 The series concluded last month but you can still watch it as a background show while you’re going about your hobbies.
In case you want to read more things about analog topics:
Writing with a Fountain Pen Did Not Improve My Handwriting · Analog From Here
A personal reflection on how switching to fountain pens didn’t magically fix handwriting, but consistent practice and a little inspiration made all the difference.
Kaweco Skyline Sport Sea Spray 2025 Limited Edition Fountain Pen · The Pen Addict
A first look at Kaweco’s 2025 Sea Spray limited edition, highlighting its soft blue-green colorway, translucent body, and how it compares to past Skyline Sport releases.
The Mad Scientist Method of Mixing Your Own Fountain Pen Ink Colors · Well-Appointed Desk
A playful and practical guide to custom ink mixing, with tips on achieving the right tone, testing for stability, and avoiding common mistakes.
Notebooks I’m Using Now – Summer 2025 · Notebook Stories
A personal update on the notebooks in current rotation, featuring a mix of pocket journals, hardcover planners, and experimental sketchbooks in daily use.
Why Tools Matter (For Artists): The Psychology Behind Creative Motivation · That Journaling Guy
A thoughtful take on how the right tools can influence creative flow, and why artists shouldn’t feel guilty for caring about what they use to make their work.
Sweet Street Stories by Adam Wilson (@theleanover) with the Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Camera · Lomography Magazine
A street photography feature capturing quiet, intimate scenes using the Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Camera, with reflections on approach, timing, and composition.
Film News: Harman Phoenix II Rises · Japan Camera Hunter
An update on the return of Harman Phoenix, a uniquely color-shifting 35mm film, with notes on its improvements, early sample photos, and expected availability.
I really want to start featuring other Substack authors in the monthly newsletter! 🙂↕️ So please drop some of your favorite authors who talk about fountain pens, journaling, film photography, and vinyl records.