I have been a lover of all stationery – paper, pens, folders, labels – for as long as I can remember, and no one does pens and pencils like the Japanese.

Nowhere can you find finer points to write with, which I love because that means you can fit a lot more into a small space – think a square to fill in on your monthly calendar – and it just looks so refined.

JetPens specializes in Japanese Pens and Stationery and they’ve got the coolest stuff!

The Uni-ball Signo Bit UM-201 Pen is the WORLD’S THINNEST gel pen. It is so thin in fact that it can write on a grain of rice! It comes in at 0.18 mm, and I think the Pink is ultra hot, though you can get it in black if you’re looking for something more conservative to work with.

The Pilot Petit1 Mini Fountain Pen is so much fun – a fountain pen in a little mini size! What a great little guy to keep on hand – maybe I’ll use it to sign books! And I got the Apple Green, which really puts me in the mood for Spring!

And I’m loving the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen Ink Cartridge. It comes in a range of thicknesses in over 30 colours. I got the 0.5 mm in Camilla (Red) and it is so lovely and smooth – it’s my new favourite agenda pen for writing in deadlines, dates to remember and anything else that needs to stand out against my usual black scrawls.

Remember the blue and white Bic pens that had 4 colours all in one that you could change all with the flick of a switch? Well, I’ve found the more modern (and elegant) version in the Zebra SK-Sharbo+1 2 Color Ballpoint Multi Pen + Pencil in Blue.

Not only does it save space, but it doesn’t look like a multi! Your black pen, red pen and a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil are all hidden away until you need them! Great for purses, bags and briefcases as you can carry all three with you without having to root around for them separately – brilliant!

And the prize for most unusual writing instrument goes to the Pentel Ain Supplio Nanotech Scented Mechanical Pencil! It comes in 3 scents and I got the Refresh, which is a wintery mint that can help keep you energized and refreshed when tired and/or working late. The refills are scented too, so go on! Use this 0.5 mm pencil while you’re doing your taxes and making tedious lists – it will never be the same!

Not only are JetPens reasonable, but you’ll find stuff that you’ve never seen or heard of before. So why use a plain ol’ Papermate from the office supply cabinet, when you can use something fun and exciting?

I mean, you’ve only got so much time here on earth – you might as well enjoy it to the fullest!

Note: This post is late today due to the funeral of a lovely friend, Grandma June. That last line, and so much more, is inspired by her.