The New York Times - Pastel pens and washi tape

I’m definitely not going back to school this fall. And yet, every September, I’m lured by the siren call of new school supplies, from the flutter of loose leaf paper to the limitless potential in a flight of new Crayola crayons. School supplies offer the promise of learning, changing, and growing—something that we adults deserve to feel, too. 

‌

This year, I’m doing something about my craving and stocking up on grown-up school supplies. I’m hopeful they’ll spark some inner-child joy and help to reinvigorate my somewhat stale work-from-home routine in the process. Here’s what’s on my back-to-“school” supplies list:

• My colleague Marilyn Ong turned me on to Zebra Mildliners. They’re double-tip pens that draw like creamy markers and come in dozens of sophisticated shades. I’ve gifted them to both kids and too-cool teens; now I’ll get a set for myself to perk up my list- and letter-writing game.
• Ain’t no pencil like the exquisitely expensive Palomino Blackwing 602, which writes like a dream. It’s made of incense cedar with a firm graphite core, and I’m a sucker for the flat, replaceable erasers.
• My sister, bless her single-use-plastic-loving-heart, deserves a new way to pack her lunch. I’m doing her a solid by gifting her the BPA-free, microwave-safe W&P Porter Bowl, which comes in pretty colors and is perfect for big salads and leftovers alike.
• I’ve been surprised by my family’s many uses for Scotch Washi Tape. It’s great for wrapping gifts, hanging kid art, and all manner of crafting. This brand is stickier than some we’ve tried and comes in great colors.
• Both my work and family calendars are digital, but the Poketo Stick To It Weekly Planner is a handy way to give everyone a look at the week without burying our heads in devices. I’ll keep one at my desk and one on the fridge.

Thanks for reading.

‌

You can reach the Wirecutter newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.