Hello! And Welcome!
Hello! My name is Cole. Simplicity Embellished is my special place. I talk a lot about writing letters, etegami, gardening and yoga. Please sign up for Sunday Tea (comes to you via email), subscribe using your feed reader of choice and don't hesitate to say hello on Twitter or Facebook either.
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Reviews & Tools Archive
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Disposable Fountain Pens
Posted on 15 April, 2012 | 16 CommentsLet’s talk about this. Disposable fountain pens. These pens serve, often times, as an entry into the world of fountain pens for many of us. Imagine browsing the pen aisle... -
Review: Pilot Cavalier Fountain Pen
Posted on 15 May, 2011 | 10 CommentsI’d like to introduce you to a favorite fountain pen of mine. It’s not THE favorite, but a favorite, nonetheless. I pull this pen out when I want to write... -
A Look At Legal Pads
Posted on 16 April, 2011 | 1 CommentInitially, I had it in my head to feature several makes of legal pads and go over the differences. I decided against it because there is one very clear winner... -
More Wax Seals and Sealing Wax
Posted on 28 March, 2011 | 10 CommentsI’ve got a collection now, you know. Wax seals are an easy thing to pick up–you can find dozens of styles online for a dollar or two on up, depending... -
My First Flex Nib
Posted on 24 November, 2010 | 5 CommentsMy husband and I attended the Ohio Pen Show a few weekends ago and I purchased my first flex nib fountain pen. It’s a beautiful 14kt nibbed beauty. The barrel... -
My Husband’s Personal Stationery
Posted on 16 November, 2010 | 12 CommentsPersonal stationery, I feel, is important. And I’m not talking about the kind you picked up from the bookstore or ordered online with the cute pattern or whatever. Personal stationery.... -
A New Wax Seal and Sealing Wax
Posted on 13 November, 2010 | 22 CommentsI’ve been slowly trying different types of sealing wax over the past few months. I’m in search of that perfect sealing wax that will allow me to seal the outside... -
Writing Letters By Candlelight
Posted on 24 August, 2010 | 4 CommentsSometimes, when the house is quiet and I can’t hear cars on the road outside anymore, I like to write letters by candlelight. My thoughts are clearest when all I... -
Baby Envelope Template Comparison
Posted on 4 August, 2010 | 2 CommentsDo any of you make envelopes? I do. I make envelopes of all sizes and shapes out of all kinds of materials. I love to use pages from old books... -
Review: Sheaffer Classic Calligraphy Mini Introductory Set
Posted on 2 August, 2010 | 3 CommentsMy Mom used to regularly practice calligraphy when she was younger. In fact, I know she has a photo somewhere of her in my grandparents living room with writing supplies... -
A Vintage Seal
Posted on 20 July, 2010 | 8 CommentsA couple days ago I stopped over at my Mom + Dad’s house. After a nice dinner my Mom popped this little guy into my hand. It belonged to my... -
Review: Kuretake Tegami Refillable Letter Pen
Posted on 13 July, 2010 | 3 CommentsFinding a new toy is pretty exciting. This is my new toy, a Kuretake Tegami Refillable Letter Pen. I ordered this from Jet Pens for $4.50. Here’s the link to... -
Postal Scale Review: Taylor Weigh & Store Kitchen Scale
Posted on 10 July, 2010 | 9 CommentsFirst, let me say that this scale was less than $5 including tax. I needed something to double-check my postage estimating abilities; see, I’m someone who writes lengthy letters and... -
Fountain Pen Review | Sailor Desk Pen
Posted on 4 May, 2010 | 4 CommentsI’ve probably had the most fun with this fountain pen out of all the one’s I own. I love the black lacquer body, the super fine nib, the elongated and... -
Fountain Pen Review | Sailor HighAce Neo Beginner Fountain Pen
Posted on 27 April, 2010 | 6 CommentsThe Sailor HighAce Neo is a neat little pen, and for about $15, I’d say it’s a great one to start out with. First, you should know that this is... -
Review of Rossi’s Medioevalis Paper and Envelopes
Posted on 20 February, 2010 | 2 CommentsI tell you, packaging can make things special. It sets up your expectations and for we paper enthusiasts, it can inspire us to write. The print on the luxury boxes... -
Moleskine in Red
Posted on 10 February, 2010 | 4 CommentsI spotted these guys at Barnes and Noble….. They’re red! What a lovely shade! I’ve got the perfect red Diamine ink and my Gold Sheaffer Agio would compliment this Moleskine... -
Ink Review | J. Herbin’s Ambre De Birmanie
Posted on 5 February, 2010 | 7 CommentsWhat a fancy name. Ambre De Birmanie It certainly matches the lovely hue of this ink. Here’s a page from a Moleskine. You’ll see I wrote in many different styles... -
LAMY Al-Star Purple Review
Posted on 5 January, 2010 | 4 CommentsFor anyone looking to venture into the world of fountain pens, a LAMY Safari or Al-Star would be a safe bet. I have several Safari fountain pens. This is my... -
Diamine Ink Monaco Red Review
Posted on 30 December, 2009 | 4 CommentsYum. Just yum. Diamine is my favorite brand of ink. It’s a brand I wouldn’t have tried unless Doug Kennedy at Appointments in Cincinnati had recommended it to me. Appointments... -
My Husband’s Pen | The Cross Affinity Fountain Pen in Crimson Red
Posted on 14 October, 2009 | 2 CommentsMy husband, Victor, has a signature pen. It’s his Cross Affinity Fountain Pen in Crimson Red. This is a new model, out only since September 2009, but it’s a great... -
Moleskine Volant Notebooks
Posted on 12 October, 2009 | No CommentsI love paper. I love buying it, writing on it, finding new kinds, touching it; it’s an odd obsession I think I share with very few people. I know many... -
Diamine Ink in Damson, Pumpkin, Ruby and Saddle Brown
Posted on 11 October, 2009 | 5 CommentsI use pretty inks in my fountain pens. I only use black or blue ink if, for some reason, it’s absolutely required. I think using colored inks are a good... -
Tools of the Trade | The Elements of Style
Posted on 10 October, 2009 | 1 CommentWriting is such an important tool we all have but seldom use. I mean, really use. We write things all the time; the grocery list, our signatures, notes taken during... -
LAMY Safari in Magenta
Posted on 9 October, 2009 | 5 Comments0 -
Fountain Pens
Posted on 19 August, 2009 | 1 CommentI write with a fountain pen about 90% of the time. Why? My handwriting looks better I don’t have a ‘death grip’ on the pen like I do with a...
