Pens & Pretty Words (2026)

08/04/2026

April inks are ready to be flaunted! Some purples, some browns, a few greens, and the odd blue in there. Come, let’s spread some happy colours!

28/03/2026

I now pronounce these two … hooked for life! 💍

There are pairings that make sense on paper, and then, there are pairings that feel like they share the same soul.

This combo belongs to the second category.

When I picked up this Pilot Custom 74 Kaede Maple on a whim from , I had no idea I was going to fall so hard for it. The grain of the wood is absolutely mesmerising. The way the light catches those organic lines … it’s humbling to think these swirling lines were once a silent witness to decades of sunshine, rain, and growth. I’ve just spent the last 10-15 minutes just turning it over in my hands. 🥹

The nib? It’s pure Pilot magic. That 14k gold medium is buttery smooth, laying down a line that feels effortless, almost like the pen knows what I’m going to write before I do.

But the real beauty is the ink. Ina-ho. Now that this colour has been discontinued, it makes every drop feel a bit more precious, like a sunset you’re trying to hold onto.

Using it is such a bittersweet feeling. It’s a coveted liquid now, and even though I probably have enough to last me a lifetime, I’m still haunted by the quiet fear of that final fill—the day I’ll reach for it and find the bottle dry. But until then? I intend to enjoy every single second of it.

These two make a quiet pairing. No loud sheens or distracting glitters. The wood gives the ink a home, and the ink gives the pen a ‘voice’.

Writing with this combo feels like a slow, deep breath in the middle of a loud day. Just the sound of gold on paper and the faint, earthy smell of old wood.

I’m not sure I’ll ever put a different ink in this pen. We’re in the honeymoon phase, and I intend to stay here for a long, long time.

02/03/2026

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.” — Anaïs Nin

There’s something so grounding about having the past and the present in one frame. I’ve been using these two pens for the past few weeks, and I’m struck by their shared DNA.

On one hand, my vintage Montblanc—a true veteran. Every time I pick up this pen, I feel like I’m holding a direct line to the past. There’s magic in its history; the weight of all the words it has already carried long before it reached my hand.

Despite its age, the MontBlanc is easily the smoother of the two. It doesn’t just write; it glides with a quiet confidence that only comes from decades of use.

Beside it sits the Lamy CP1 in Aquamarine. I love that this is a “new” release of a design that has lived in the background for years, quietly waiting for its moment to return to the light. It feels like the perfect modern counterpart—sleek and unassuming, yet sharing that same petite, minimalist soul.

Both pens are generations apart, but they’ve been making my letters and journaling feel like a conversation across time.

Details:
• The Time Traveler: Vintage Montblanc (F) + Lamy Crystal Agate 🩶
• The Revived Classic: Lamy CP1 (M) + FWP Moss Park Green 🌲

08/02/2026

I’ve been writing with Diamine Holly almost non-stop for the last five to six months. This is a first for someone like me. I tend to shelve even my absolute favourite pen and ink pairing after a couple of months, tops.

Why this rare commitment? 🤔 Two reasons.

First, the ink itself. It’s stunning, fascinating, beautiful, writes well, dries well… all the good things you can say about an ink apply here. I love the deep green with its subtle red sheen, but what really mesmerises me is how it pools. How do I describe it? Little patches of inky darkness, almost like black dots scattered through the writing. A full page filled with this ink is… 🤩🖤

The second reason I’ve been living with this ink for six months? My TWSBI’s monster ink capacity. 😆 Once it’s inked, I have to see it through to the very end. Because, we don’t waste ink around here, do we? Especially not one that took me about a year and a half to track down and finally order from an international site. So now, my 2025 journal and 2026 journal and letters all bear the stamp of this ink.

Also, please appreciate how the TWSBI Eco Irish Green pairs with Diamine Holly. Pure perfection! 🖋️💚

21/01/2026

White Rabbit 🐇 was one of the first inks I ever picked up from . In fact, it was the ink that sparked my interest in their range. The fact that their inks are inspired by literature made me like them instantly, no persuasion required.

This ink is stunning. A pale brown-pink with hints of deeper pinks and, somehow, a faint red halo that appears in writing? My heart genuinely skips a beat every time I use it. 🖊️

The only drawback? It runs a bit dry. Not the tear-your-hair-out kind of dry, but dry enough that I have to be selective about the pens I pair it with. I trusted Pelikan’s famously wet flow to do the job, and it didn’t disappoint. That said, I wouldn’t mind if this ink were a touch wetter 🤭

Honestly, this is one ink that would make me happily reach for a broad nib, just to see the full range of colours it has to offer. 🤎

Notebook used: B6 square grid notebook from

pelikanm200

06/01/2026

The days are grey in Delhi. So glad to have such colourful inks to write with. At least my letters and journals aren’t bleak 🤗🤩🥰

20/10/2025

All the Diwali sparkle I need is right here! ✨

Happy Deepavali 🪔

06/07/2025

Kosumosu: An Ink Review

Confession: I’m not a pink person. I don’t wear it, I don’t decorate with it, and I definitely didn’t think I’d write with it.

Enter: Iroshizuku Kosumosu—a bright, cheerful pink that caught me completely off guard and somehow waltzed its way into my heart 💕 (and my pen drawer 🖋️).

This was my first Iroshizuku, and honestly, the one that kicked off what is now a full-blown love affair with the brand.

Kosumosu is light, silky smooth, and completely satisfying. I genuinely don’t understand how something this delicate and almost watery can write this well, but I’m not asking questions. 🤷‍♀️

It dries quickly (hallelujah 🙌), pops off the page like it’s announcing its fabulousness ✨, and works like an absolute dream in every single pen I’ve tried—Kakuno, Lamy, Platinum 3776, you name it. Kosumosu is basically the friend who gets along with everyone and brings snacks. 🍪

I didn’t think I’d be a pink ink person. I’m still not sure I am. But this pink? It has claimed permanent camping rights in my ink rotation 🏕️. It just makes me smile every time 😊.

P.S. Kosumosu is Japanese for cosmos flower—those soft, daisy-like blooms that symbolise harmony, modesty, and love. Which explains a lot, honestly. 🌸

18/06/2025

Wearingeul Mad Hatter: A Review

I’m a sucker for inks with literary themes, so when Wearingeul released a theme inspired by Alice in Wonderland, I couldn’t resist picking up Mad Hatter. I mean, I was basically halfway through checkout before I blinked.

The colour? A subdued sage green that is soft, mellow, and charming. Its gentleness makes it perfect for quiet morning letters or thoughtful journalling. Dry time’s pretty quick—no smudgy drama here - making it great for everyday use.

Now, let’s talk writing. With the Iro-utsushi dip pen, it felt a bit dry. Like the ink was politely unsure about making an appearance.

However, when I popped it into my Pilot Metropolitan (medium nib), things improved considerably. I had a much smoother, much happier ink on my hands (literally!). Still, I know there’s some gorgeous shading hidden in there—I just haven’t found the right pen to coax it out yet. Maybe a Jowo medium? Or one of those flamboyant broad nibs that bring the drama?

In short: literary ink lovers, green ink hoarders, and Wonderland fans—this one’s got your name on it. Just don’t expect it to shout. It prefers a quietly whimsical whisper.

Notebook: Hobonichi Techo 2024 with Tomoe River Paper
Dip Pen: Pilot Iro-Utsushi and Kakimori brass dip pen

Pens & Pretty Words

08/04/2026

28/03/2026

02/03/2026

08/02/2026

21/01/2026

06/01/2026

20/10/2025

06/07/2025

18/06/2025

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