Stay Organized this year with a planner or datebook.

Are you looking to stay organized this year? Have you forgotten to attend functions, meetings, or events in the past because you have not had an organized way to manage your time? Many of us struggle to find a comfortable and easy-to-remember method for keeping appointments. While there are many technoraties out there that will swear by their “ICal”, Outlook, or Google Calendar to organize their time, many people just do not find those methods natural or have had a bad experience in the past (computer crashing or virus anyone?).

For those turned off by digital date-keeping, there still remains a tried-and-true method: the paper-bound date book. Some swear by paper planners for their ease of use and wireless go anywhere accessibility. Others are driven to them for their freedom from charging and from batteries. As it becomes the middle of January, if you want to try out a paper planner or date book for 2011, you are entering the now-or-never stage for this decision. Most stores are running low on their calendar stocks and ALKO is no exception.

If you are considering a paper planner or date-book, I would recommend you check out our top three lines of planners.

• Letts of London – Letts of London is known the world over for manufacturing the finest made, expertly designed planners and diaries, while maintaining simple elegance. The tradition continues…one diary at a time. Letts of London academic planners are now on sale.

• Quo Vadis – Quo Vadis Planners are for those who love to write. While nothing can replace the feel of a pen against paper, an inferior quality paper makes for a terrible experience. This is why Quo Vadis is unique among all the paper planners. Quo Vadis uses only the best paper in the world for writing, Clairefontaine PEFC paper. In addition to being made from superior paper, Quo Vadis Planners are manufactured in the USA.

• Moleskine – Moleskine Planners are a relatively new line, but they have flown off the shelves! Known as the notebook of Ernest Hemingway, as well as the notebook with the pocket, Moleskine planners and notebooks have an incredibly sturdy construction and are bound with great quality paper.

Sometimes Side-bound Notebooks Don't Cut It

You want to get into writing on fine stationary stationery, but you find yourself encumbered by the rigidity of a traditional side-bound notebook.

The Solution

Try a top-bound notebook solution and experience the difference the orientation of the binding makes!

 

Flexible and Ready To Go Rhodia top-bound notebook!

Where to Start

Check out the great top-bound options offered by sister companies, Clairefontaine and Rhodia. My personal favorite are the dual-wire top-bound notebooks that come from Rhodia.

Rhodia Wire Top-Bound Notebooks

Built with an incredibly sturdy and rebendable dual-wire construction, these Rhodia notebooks have the option of graph or lined paper (I prefer graph ), and come in three sizes:

• 4″ X 6″
• 6″ X 8 – 1/4 “
• 8″ X 11 – 3/4″

Rhodia Staple Top-Bound Notebooks

The Rhodia Top-Bound Staple Notebooks come in many sizes!

Looking for an economical, on-the-go solution? Try the top-bound dual-staple Rhodia notebooks. Available in black (shown) or orange, these note books have been a favorite of artists, designers, scientists and architects. People love them for their grids, smooth paper and unique scored cover, which folds back neatly behind the pad when writing. These note books are available with grid, lined, and in some sizes, blank paper. These great note books are available in the following sizes:

Size #8 Staple-Bound Rhodia Report Notebook

• Size #8: 3″ x 8-1/4″
• Size #10: 2″ x 3″
• Size #11: 3″ x 4″
• Size #12: 3-3/8″ x 4-3/4″
• Size #13: 4″ x 6″
• Size #14: 4-3/8″ x 6-3/8″
• Size #16:  6″ x 8-1/4″
• Size #18: 8-1/4″ x 11-3/4″
• Size #19: 8-1/4″ x 12-1/2″

Post to be continued!….

Comes with built in Transit and Location Maps

Moleskine City notebooks are the perfect solution for the Do-It-Yourself traveler, as well as the recently relocated. Complete with transit maps, essential phone numbers, itinerary pages, measurement and speed conversion charts, up-close neighborhood maps, and the the essential Moleskine Pocket, you will be able to take control of your new surroundings and roam fearlessly! Being a notebook, there is plenty of space to record favorite museums, restaurants, bars,  or whatever else piques your interest about your new location. Think of the line of Moleskine City Notebooks as your home-made travel guide. Live in one of the available cities? Buy this book and make it your personalized travel book to lend to friends and family who come to visit and explore your surroundings.

The Moleskine City Notebook is available for the following cities:

Moleskine City Book - Your Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide

• San Francisco
• New York
• Boston
• Washington D.C.
• Los Angeles
• Paris
• Dublin
• Beijing
• Hong Kong

Below are some image samples of the five different cover choices from Quo Vadis and The Planner Formats available for each option.

Use-Once Bindings

Habana Cover

Samples of Quo Vadis Habana Cover

Features:

• Inner pockets for notes, cards
• Elegant round corners
• Flexible cover, leather feel
• Matching elastic closure
• Bound

Available in:

• Academic Minister
• Business
• Minister
• Notor
• Textagenda
• University

Basic Cover

Quo Vadis Basic Cover Samples

Features:

• Elastic closure
• Solid hardboard cover
• 100% post-consumer recycled paper
• Recycled Paper

Available in:

• Scholar
• Textagenda

Smooth Cover

Features:

• Innerpockets for notes, cards
  

  Quo Vadis Smooth Samples

• Elegant round corners
• Elastic closure
• Soft flexi cover
• Inner pocket
• Bound

Available in:

• Business
• Minister

Robert Le Héros Cover

Features:

• Rich colors and distinctive organic designs
  

  Quo Vadis Robert Le Heros Cover SamplesQuo Vadis Figi Cover Sample

• Elegant round corners
• Elastic closure
• Bound

Available In:

• Academic Minister
• Business
• Minister
• Notor
• Textagenda
• University

Re-Usable Covers

Deluxe Vinyl Cover

Features:

• Deluxe vinyl
• Smooth feel
• Classic and bright colors
• Matte finish
• Economical Choice

Available In:

Quo Vadis Vinyl Cover Samples

• Academic Minister
• Biweek
• Business
• Daily Pocket
• Exaplan
• Executive
• IB Traveler
• Journal 21
• Minister
• Miniweek
• Monthly 4
• Note 27
• Notor
• Prenote
• President
• Principal®
• Sapa X
• Sapa X Academic
• Scholar
• Septanote
• Space 17
• Space 24
• Student
• Textagenda
• Trinote
• University
• Visoplan
• Visual

Equology Cover

Quo Vadis Equology Samples

Features:

• Collection recycled at 85%
• Printed on 100% recycled paper
• Soft, lightly textured, textile feel cover
• Cover made without chlorine
• 90 g alkaline/neutral paper
• Contains 100% post-consumer fiber
• Certified EcoLogo, processed chlorine-free and FSC recycled
• Manufactured using biogas energy

Available In:

• Minister
• President
• Sapa X
• Scholar
• Textagenda

Soya Cover

Features:

• Saddle-stitched
• Sturdy and durable
• Modern colors
• Smooth and supple leather look and feel
• Elastic holder & bookmark

Available In:

Quo Vadis Soya Cover Samples

• Academic Minister
• Biweek
• Business
• Exaplan
• Executive
• IB Traveler
• Journal 21
• Minister
• Monthly 4
• Note 27
• Notor
• Prenote
• President
• Principal®
• Scholar
• Septanote
• Space 17
• Space 24
• Student
• Textagenda
• Trinote
• University
• Visoplan
• Visual

Club Cover

Features:

• Elastic holder & bookmark
• Sporty look
• Vibrant colors
• Sturdy grained material
• Saddle-stitched

Available In:

Quo Vadis Club Cover Sample

• Academic Minister
• Biweek
• Business
• Daily Pocket
• Exaplan
• Executive
• IB Traveler
• Journal 21
• Minister
• Miniweek
• Monthly 4
• Note 27
• Notor
• Prenote
• President
• Principal®
• Sapa X
• Sapa X Academic
• Scholar
• Septanote
• Space 17
• Space 24
• Student
• Textagenda
• Trinote
• University
• Visoplan
• Visual

Mignon European Leather Cover

Features:

Quo Vadis Mignon European Leather Sample

• Top leather calfskin
• Smooth and supple
• Discreet European style
• Hand-made using traditional methods
• Naturally marked finish — artisans use a centuries-old technique
• Learn more about Mignon »

Available In:

• Daily Pocket
• Note 27
• Space 17
• Visual

Napa Leather Cover

Features:

• Inner pockets for notes, cards
• Smooth full leather
  

  Quo Vadis Napa Leather Cover Sample

• Smooth, supple feel
• Deep rich colors
• Hand-finished
• Hemmed backs, smooth corners, double stitching

Available In:

• Biweek
• IB Traveler
• Minister
• Miniweek
• Monthly 4
• Note 27
• Notor
• Prenote
• President
• Principal®
• Space 17
• Space 24
• Trinote
• Visoplan
• Visual

Chelsea Leather Cover 

Features:

• Smooth full leather
• Sewn lining
• Durable

Available In:

Quo Vadis Chelsea Leather Cover Sample

• Biweek
• IB Traveler
• Monthly 4
• Notor
• Principal®
• Trinote
• Visoplan

Our store front

Welcome to the new ALKO office supply blog! My name is Greg Elenbaas and I work on outside sales and marketing here at ALKO. We’re a locally owned office supply provider in downtown Berkeley. While we work and live in the bay area, we ship our products world wide! We carry the finest notebooks, pens, and paper. Our mission is service and we take pride in what we do.

To the right is our store. We’re on Shattuck Avenue in the heart of downtown and we have been in this same location for over one hundred years. Soon I will be inserting an about page that says more of our long and interesting history.

My personal favorite notebooks come from the Clairefontaine and Rhodia lines, but who could forget the excellent quality and history of the Moleskine notebook? Obviously, there is no clear “best” notebook because choosing the right notebook is a very personal decision. Some people choose notebooks based on the quality of paper, or the line rule. Others choose notebooks based on being left-handed. Then there are those that choose notebooks based on their recycled content or whether they were made in the USA. Here at ALKO we have notebook options for everyone and I would be glad to help anyone in their road to notebook discovery. Just send me an e-mail at greg at alkos.com for help, or leave a comment on this post!

We also carry fine writing instruments. Some of the fine writing brands we carry include Parker, Lamy, Pilot, Space Pen, and Sheaffer. Just as there are a million reasons to choose a notebook, there are a million reasons to choose a pen. In future blog entries, I will discuss how to select the write(ha) right pen or pencil for your needs and different features you need to consider. Features to consider include: the physical weight of the pen, the wetness of the ink, whether the ink is permanent or prone to check washing (an important security concern I’ll discuss in a future blog post), the boldness of the pen tip, and whether the pen is a fountain pen, ball point, or roller ball. I hope the readers of this blog find my posts informative and interesting. If you have any suggestions as to the content of future blog posts feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!