I’ve just returned from my late summer vacation, and the warmest season is finally winding down. I spent most of my summer at home in New York, clawing my way out of a creative block, exhausting myself with long summer days, and then taking a break from creating “content,” and attempting to focus on creating for myself.
I spent the past two weeks abroad in London, Paris, and some islands in Greece, looking at art, taking long walks, and swimming in the ocean. I’m now refreshed, and inspired to get back to my reportage on stationery shops abroad (new stationery shopping guides by city incoming)!! In the meantime, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the stationery adventures I had from June to August—so I’m pleased to share a brief summer check in: a collection of shops visited, journal spreads made, and charming objects acquired during the summer of 2025.
Shops Visited
Papeterie Nota Bene - Downtown Montreal, Quebec
I spent a long weekend in Quebec this summer, and at the recommendations1 (multiple) of some followers, stopped by Papeterie Nota Bene. This charming two-floor stationery shop is found near downtown Montreal, Quebec, and is delightful to peruse. The space is bright and airy, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the walls are lined with rainbows of binders and notebooks. A global collection of brands can be found here, as the Papeterie stocks the best of the best. Two large cases of fountain pens are on display, as well as Nota Bene’s own line of planner pads — I always love to see original products at these shops!
Loaf on Paper - Williamsburg, BK
Possibly the most exciting opening of the summer: Loaf on Paper opened its doors to throngs of excited stationery lovers on June 28th! The owner of LoP is behind Nico Neco Zakkaya, a Japanese stationery shop that has captured the hearts of East Village locals and visitors alike since its opening in 2019. The tiny store on East 10th street stocks specialty Japanese stationery and art supplies, dainty ceramics and other precious objects that make patrons squeal with delight. If you’ve ever visited on a weekend, you know that this storage-closet-sized shop’s popularity has long called for expansion. Enter Loaf on Paper: a stationery café concept in far roomier Williamsburg digs.
A seafoam green La Marzocco espresso machine greets you at the entrance, as the café is the antechamber to the stationery shop in the back of the space. Customers sip matcha and coffee-based drinks from the menu, like the Coconut Matcha Cloud, or the Black Sesame Latte. Equally delicious, the pastry selection glistens in a glass case by the register: Hojicha Lemon Madeleines, Miso Buttermilk Biscuits, and Matcha Basque Cheesecake were among the available offerings when I visited. I savored a melt-in-your-mouth Chamomile Butter Cookie, which I still think of often…(must go back soon)! The stationery shop opens later than the café, keeping its own separate schedule, so be sure to check the hours before visiting. If you do arrive early though, I highly recommend enjoying a snack and a drink while you wait.
The shop at Loaf on Paper is an expanded version of Nico Neco Zakkaya. The Japanese stationery is expertly curated, and the space is decorated in the same manner as the original shop, with many enchanting corners to explore. Washi tapes are housed in antique furnishings, and handpicked stamps lined the wooden shelves. Unique to Loaf on Paper is the large grouping of tote bags featuring the shop logo: a cute bread-shaped cat perched on a stack of notebooks. A special in-store stamp featuring the same logo is available, advertised at the register, which the staff happily added to my open notebook.
Loaf on Paper is buzzy on the weekends. Groups of journalers excitedly share their notebooks and pastries, and stationery enthusiasts obsess about their new purchases over lattes. It’s a stationery lover’s paradise, not only a bigger, better version of the Manhattan shop I so adore, but also, a third place where paper-lovers can connect with like minded people.
Yamadaya - West Village, NY
Yamadaya is billed as a Japanese Grocery store (but has so much more), and is found 6th avenue, just one block down from The Locavore Variety store. Imported candy, snacks, drinks, are found here, as well as kitchen supplies and a surprisingly strong stationery selection. I was pleased to find all manner of pens, pencils, and rulers, but most of all this unique memo pad. I’ve just never seen anything like it. Little birds ready to help you make a note!!! I should have purchased this…
and making the rounds….
Summer in the city means taking the long way home just because. These scenic walks often lead me to stop by some of my favorite shops for no reason other than, the sun is out and I’m in the neighborhood. Enjoy some delicious stationery photos from the McNally Jackson (Williamsburg) notebook display, the hundreds of ink bottles lining the shelves at Yoseka Stationery (Greenpoint), and a completely stocked Mildliner display at Kinokuniya (Midtown) from my summer visits.
New Journals Started
My Archer & Olive Traveler’s notebook was completely filled by the start of summer! Off-camera, I’ve been slowly working through the backlog of my ephemera to fill my travel journal, and started my new journal promptly after memorial day.
Leaving my mark on my new journal. I love fresh starts!
Spreads Made
I of course, immediately built a travel journal spread around the in-store stamp and related ephemera from Loaf on Paper. Also featured are my purchases from the shop: my new favorite memo pad, possibly the cutest stamp ever (of a desk and an easel), and some dreamy washi tape.
My July bullet journal featured one of my favorite summer activities on the cover page: Baseball games at Yankee Stadium.
As always, I’ve been collecting ephemera from my travels, and saving them in my notebook. To-go orders at St. Viateur Bagel in Montreal are sealed with these giant stickers, which aren’t officially available for purchase, but I was kindly given one by request, which I was so happy to add to my journal.
I visited The Met Cloisters for the very first time this summer, a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval art, constructed in 1938 to resemble a medieval monastery. The gardens were lush and in full bloom, and carefully modeled after medieval gardens, including the selection of plants. One of the highlights at The Cloisters are its collection of Unicorn Tapestries. The most famous of this collection, The Unicorn Rests in a Garden (1495-1505), (featured in sticker form on my journal page), features many flourishing plants, many of which could be seen outdoors in the museum gardens, a singular, multi-sensory experience.
Since starting a new travel journal, I’ve carved out dedicated pages to save fruit stickers and tea bag tags (tea tags? do these have a name?). Like my collections of business cards and bookmarks, these make for charming and inspiring little clusters of color and design. I love these pages so far.
Charming Objects Acquired
Some of these delightful items were gifted to me, and others purchased on my usual shop visits. A mini-haul of my acquisitions from the summer:
Exquisite Stationery from Atelier Choux
I was lucky enough to work with Atelier Choux in creating a video featuring their new stationery line! This gorgeous Parisian shop stocks children’s clothing, accessories, and other precious objects decorated with intricate and whimsical illustrations by Swedish illustrator Mattias Adolfsson.
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The stationery sets are absolutely exquisite in their details, from the perfectly aligned envelope closure, to the hot air balloon pop-up element. The envelopes are easily the most beautiful I have ever had the pleasure of mailing to someone, even the insides are lined with illustrations.
The Moleskine x Peanuts Collaboration
I was also asked if I would like to receive an item from the Moleskine x Peanuts collaboration, a question for which I believe there can only be one answer. Slightly different from a Moleskine Classic, this notebook’s texture is pebbled, and of course, features an illustration of Snoopy.
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Also included are 2 (!) ribbon bookmarks, a paper bookmark, an embroidered patch, 2 (!) sticker sheets, and Snoopy illustrations distributed at random on the interior lined pages. I am very excited about this one. (The Snoopy stamp, and smaller Snoopy stickers are set dressing in this photo, from my own personal collection.)
HBD to the Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Pastels
Easily one of my favorite video projects to date, Caran d’Ache (one of my all-time favorite brands), kindly sent me a special edition set of their Neocolor II Aquarelle Pastels, in celebration of the product’s 50th birthday! To mark the occasion, a set of two Neocolor II Pastel shaped* wax candles were also included in the birthday gift bag.
*Because the candles looked so realistic, a few people2 were alarmed that I was burning perfectly good art supplies. I can assure you that real Neocolor pastels do not have wicks!! (???)
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To celebrate, I purchased a petite raspberry charlotte, and lit the candles. I’m a longtime fan of Caran d’Ache, namely their aquarelle (water-soluble) colored pencils. While I’ve always loved the idea of the aquarelle pastels, I have so many art supplies at home, and decided I didn’t need to dive into this new medium for a while….and this is why gifts are so great! I absolutely loved trying out these pastels, which are really somwhere between a wax crayon and an oil pastel, with of course, the water-soluble properties of watercolor. The result is a playful and versatile medium, I already want to buy more colors….(mainly blues, greens, and browns) to complete my palette and play some more!
My Haul from Loaf on Paper
My purchases from Loaf on Paper, the new stationery store and cafe in Brooklyn, deserve their own little write up! I am always floored by how gorgeous each item in the shop is. I couldn’t make up my mind between the Black Milk Project stamps, but finally settled on the Home Sweet Home design (currently sold out). Another favorite is my new memo pad, a red book by Katanuki Fusen, featuring the same characters from another memo pad I love and have purchased many years ago at Maido in San Francisco. I like to keep greeting cards on hand, should I need one as rush out the door to a party, and so purchased a couple. A cozy sticker sheet with sewing supplies was necessary, as was the washi tape featuring tiny houses and birds. If you can’t visit in person, Nico Necco Zakkaya has long been a robust online stationery store before delving into the brick and mortar model. Most of these products can be found there!
A Facial at Spencer’s Spa
Not an object, but a gifted experience! Which is remarkable, as it is a first for me. While I do not3 post my face on social media, I was kindly gifted a facial service at Spencer’s Spa this summer. I felt like a real4 influencer. While I didn’t understand it at first, when I stepped into the Soho Spa’s waiting room, I suddenly did. Art books and travel books were found everywhere within the flawlessly decorated interior. The service is truly exceptional, and the spa water is delicious. I felt very relaxed, even on a busy Manhattan morning.
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