Uni-Ball Signo UM120SP Sparkling

(Disclosure: I have not been asked by companies to review anything, these are my own opinions regarding stationery that I have bought myself) 

I bought these pens from cult pens as I thought the would be a good addition to my pen pot and would add a bit of sparkle to my Filofax.

From cult pens they are £1.62 (separately, you can buy a pack of 12 BUT only in the one colour), they also come in a range of colours (8 in total). I bought 3 to test out (Sparkling Green, Violet, and Red).

The packaging is simple in its design (this is a somewhat standard feature with the Signo UM-120 pens), the tubing contains glitter distributed inside the barrel, while the ink is still visible through the barrier. 

The pen itself wrote smoothly across the page, the pen wasn't scratchy, and the nib size wasn't to bad either.

I found the pens to be easy to write with but the distribution of the ink varied greatly, the pen would write for so long then nothing would come out, also when it did the ink would be quite blobby.

I found that even though the pens were blobby, they didn't bleed through 80gsm paper, (I will admit the violet pen did somewhat bleed through, but not bad enough that you couldn't write over).

I found that these pens were nice but due to them not writing constantly and having to go back over what I had  previously written, (which would then make the writing just look scruffy), I won't be buying any more then what I already have, I know some people may like these pens but I honestly didn't.

My Week: Week 21

Welcome to my Week 21:

























As you can see my week was quite quiet, we had time out at work on Thursday (this is when the practice shuts and we use this time for training, we had CPR training)

Me and my partner are wanting to go and see the new Fast & Furious 6 movie, but he hasn't seem 3 - 5 so I put on 3 and 4 and we just need to catch up with 5 before we go away ready for next week.

I was nominated on Wednesday for a Leibster Blog Award by Lady Filo over at My Filo World (thanks for the nomination I still appreciate it). I've only just seen this recently on other blogs and now I've been nominated it is a really good award by allowing people to see blogs that don't have a big readership.

The weekend was spent enjoying the sun, we had some  nice weather and spent the Sunday in the garden blowing up a paddling pool for my stepson, while my niece decided she was gonna sit in it in her pyjamas (that's 14/15 year olds for you).

Next week will be a lot busier as we are off to Swindon and then Cardiff at the end of the week. We are off to Cardiff for the Speedway Grand Prix. I know a lot of you are going to be unsure as to what that is so I will add a link to the SGP website (Just click on the SGP). We are also going to the Doctor Who Experience (I so can't wait for that, hope they have some items from the most recent series)

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Leibster Blog Award

Leibster Blog Award.

I was nominated by Lady Filo over at My Filo World, Thank you for nominating me, I really appreciate it.

The Leibster Blog award is given to blogs that have under 200 subscribers, it allows more people to see smaller blogs, and see what they have to offer.

The rules are:

• Post 11 random things about yourself
• Answer the 11 questions you’ve been asked
• Create 11 questions for the Blogs you’d like to nominated
• Nominate 11 blogs that have less then 200 subscribers.
• Let them know by leaving a comment on their Blog
• NO tag backs!

11 Random Things about Myself:

1. I moved to the North East of England when I was 4 but I still have my London accent.
2. I love the smell of raspberries
3. My favourite flower is Lily of the Valley
4. I own too many books (probably hit 500 if you add paperback and kindle together)
5. I'm fussy when it comes to pens
6. I'm a bad shopper, it takes me ages to decide on anything.
7. I love Doctor Who
8. I'm a drama queen in the kitchen when something goes wrong.
9. I love twinings tea (Actually I just love tea).
10. I am a chocaholic
11. Can't stand the soaps (especially Hollyoaks)

Lady Filo's Questions

1. What's your favourite movie?
 - That is a toughie, i love movies, but I have to say Back to the Future (I had a huge crush on Michael J. Fox when I was younger)

2. Do you have a secret talent?
 - I can't tell you it's a secret (Ssh)

3. What would be your ideal occupation
 - Either working in music or something to do with books.

4. Do you have an addiction (other than a Filofax addiction!)
 - I have three Books, Movies, and stationery.

5. What's your celelbrity crush?
 - At the moment it is Jeremy Renner and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sorry can't choose between them!!)

6. If you were invisible where would you go or what would you do
 - I would probably head to the nearest Waterstones and spend my time reading the books.

7. What do you eat most?
 - Chocolate (I am a total chocaholic)

8. What's really funny about you?
 - Ooh I couldn't tell you but I think I have funny moments.

9. If you were given 1 million Euros/ Dollars/ Pounds; what you you do? or how would you spend it?
 - I would place some of the money in trust funds for neices, nephews, godchildren, and my stepson. I would send my mum and dad on holiday to Venice, Buy a house (I am currently saving up with my partner for a deposit), Shopping spree in London (Filofax would be the first stop)

10. If you were to make your own movie, what kind of movie would it be and what would it be about?
 - I think it would be a romantic comedy, something along the line of Bridesmaids.

11. What's your favourite holiday destination?
 - Cardiff, Wales (Has a great atmosphere, and it is the home of Doctor Who)


MY QUESTIONS

1. What is your favourite season and why?
2. What book are you currently reading?
3. What is your favourite pen to use?
4. Who is your idol?
5. What food/ drink can you just not abide?
6. If you could describe your life so far with a song, what song would it be?
7. Cat or Dog?
8. Do you use a pencil case?
9. What is always in your bag?
10. If you could visit anywhere on holiday, where would you go?
11. What Filofax is on your current wishlist?

 My Nominees

1. Addicted to Pens and Paper
2. Roses in December
3. Crazy Clarity
4. Leesh
5. A Peek Inside
6. It's My Life
7. My Holy Crap
8. Life of Kitty
9. All You Need Is Now
10. The Not So Boring Beth
11. Kilikina

My Week: Week 20

Welcome to Week 20

 As you can see my week was quite a busy one. We were meant to see Stark Trek: Into Darkness on Wednesday, but my partner's car broke down (we had a tyre blow out) so we never got to see, we did finally watch it on Sunday though so YAY.
I went to a Partylite Candle Party on Saturday that my friend was holding spent a pretty penny but they smelt lovely

Closer look from underneath the stickies

I also went to an author sigining and met Rachel Caine, Author id the Morganville Series, she was a lovely women.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma

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Rachel Caine signing

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet Rachel Caine, Author of the Morganville series of books.

I got a copy of Fall of Night signed by the lady herself and she was nice enough to have her picture taken with me.

As we were all getting our books signed we also received a Morganville tote bag, a glow in the dark wristband saying 'Morganville Resident', and a Morganville ID card (quite cool, have placed this in Violet)










And here is me with the lady herself, she was a very nice lady, and can't wait to read the new book, (have just finished Ghost Town, and five books behind)

 Thanks for tuning in

Gemma

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My Week: Week 19

Welcome to my week 19

For week 19 I was using my new Domino A5 in Violet. I have to admit that I didn't mind the bulk of the A5 as I had more space to write in.

It was bank holiday last week and my and my partner went to the Metro Centre at Gateshead (where I found Violet), we also had a meal at a restaurant we tried last week. Had many meetings at work, my weekend was the busiest.

What's under the shopping list.

Friday: One of my colleagues was doing a bakesale for REACH, a charity for Children with Upper Limb Deficiency (I have added the link above)

Sunday: My partner did a zip slide from the Tyne Bridge dressed as Super Mario for another local charity D.I.S.C., a charity that helps young people achieve their goals and make positive changes in their lives. (I have added a link above) (also to be sneaky he has a blog called 'From Tea Tray to Baking Tray', he shows all the lovely things he bakes)

Super Mario

On the Zip Slide

 Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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My Stationery Must Haves: Schneider Xpress Fineliner

I will be making posts regarding what for me are stationery must haves, any piece of stationery that I think I couldn't do without (which knowing me will be quite a lot of things).

(Disclosure: I have not been asked by companies to review anything, these are my own opinions regarding stationery that I have bought myself and think that I could not do without)

My first is Schneider Xpress Fineliner:

I love these pens and have been using them to write in my book journal, they write so smoothly and they don't smudge. I also use these at work when I have to take the weekly minutes, I have to write so fast this lovely pen can keep up with me without making my hand go numb.

I love these pens that much I have one blue and a black one in my work jacket pocket, I also carry some in my pencil case.

Thanks for tuning in.

Gemma
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iPOD Shuffle Playlist #1 (9th May 2013)

I just put my iPod on shuffle and came up with the idea of putting up a post on the 1st 10 songs that it plays (20 seemed a bit to much to come up with reasons as to why they were on my iPod), and maybe why the song is on my iPod (I will even add the cheesy ones), so here goes:-

1. Under the Moon of Love - Shawaddywaddy

• I grew up with my mum listening to bands that were big during her day and Shawaddywaddy was one of them, and with the song being in Lesbian Vampire Killers during the end credits, its a great song.

2. Made to Measure - The Hoosiers

• I love The Hoosiers, and this is from their latest album (at the time I bought it was called Illusion of Safety, but has been reissued as Bumpy Ride) 

3. Come Dig Me Out - Kelly Osbourne

   • From Kelly Osbourne's first album 'Shut Up', a really good song and I will admit (even though I might get things thrown at me) not a bad album.

4. Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli

• My sister had a Milli Vanilli album on vinyl and the song is their most well known and it's a good song

5.  Carousel - The Bishops

• This is a really good song from a reasonably unknown band (known to a few), from their first album 'The Bishops' (I have added a link if you want to check them out

6. When We Are Together - Texas

• You can't beat a bit of Sharleen Spiterri, Texas are a great band from the 90's and this song is just a great pop song.

7. Flat Beat - Mr Oizo

•  This song was released when I was at secondary school and is best known from the Levi's adverts and the puppet Flat Eric, it also reminds me, of me and my old schoolfriend doing the head banging bit to the fast beats in the song. Good memories.

8. Waterfalls - TLC

•  This is a brilliant song from TLC, it's so poignant, and talks of major issues.

9. This Is The Last Time - Keane

•  This is a great song from Keane, and from a good album

10. Trouble Sleeping - Corinne Bailey Rae

• I love this song, I find it such a great song and related to the lyrics, about not wanting to believe that I was falling in love.

I am  unsure whether to do this weekly or monthly or even fortnightly (You will find out with the next post).

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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A5 Violet Domino

A while ago I went to my local staples and saw they were selling the A5 Domino in Violet for £18.50 on sale and I loved the colour but I walked away. On another trip I saw it again but it was near payday so I was a bit skint and said to myself that if it was there when I came back after payday I would buy it. So payday came and when I went to staples it wasn't there and I was gutted. So on a trip to the Metro Centre in Gateshead I thought I would have a nosy in the staples there and to my utter amazement there it was. So for 10 minutes I argued with myself about getting it and reminded myself how gutted I was when it wasn't there so I did no more and bought it, and here it is:-

 

So for my week 19 I am test driving the A5 Domino in Violet see if I can get used to carrying it around (I will admit I do love the extra space on the pages)

Who out there uses an A5 Filofax during the week as their main planner?

Who uses an A5 Filofax for something else?

All comments welcome 

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma

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My Week: Week 18

Here is my week 18:

The first half of the week was quiet but the weekend was busy. On Wednesday it was my stepson's birthday so me and my partner went to see him. We also went to my see my friend on the evening as well.
We have not had a cleaner at work all week as he is on holiday so we are all clearing bins away on a night until he is back.
On the right you can see a ticket for The Big Reunion tour, me and my partner had been at my nephew's dedication and he received a text from a friend seeing if we wanted some tickets as she couldn't go so we said yes, it was a brilliant night took me back to my teeny bopper days.

As you can see the weekend was busy, We took my stepson to South Shields with my god-daughter for his birthday and then we were at my nephew's dedication and went to see The Big Reunion.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Local stationery

Last weekend me and my partner had a look around our local town centre and I found some nifty things:

WHSmiths

I thought I would have a nosy in smithy's as I've not been in there for a while and found some mini Maped freewriter pens. I thought these would be brilliant for my work jacket.

Rymans

I also had a look in our local Rymans as I needed a pencil sharpener that had the 2 slots for my dry textliners.

I found the pencil sharpener, but I also found the Pilot Hi-Tec and thought I would give them a try (i don't normally play well with fine nibbed pens, I find them scratchy). I also found an eraser and some uniball pens which looked quite good.

Boyes

Now when you think of Boyes and stationery you sometimes think it can be naff, but once you get rid of the naff items you can find something good.
I found these Sarasa pens and thought I would give them a go and see how they wrote.

 

 

Thanks for tuning in

 

Gemma

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