What I’d Actually Buy (and Why) at SM Stationery

Earlier this week, I found myself wandering through the stationery section at SM.

Dangerous place. 

Stationery stores are wastelands. That’s my term for places that I love so much that bleed my wallet dry. 

And as always… there were too many things.

The kind that make you feel like you’re about to become a whole new person just by adding them to your cart.

But when I slowed down and really looked—

These are the ones that stayed.

✿ What I’d Actually Buy

These aren’t just cute. They make sense for how I actually live and work.

• Floral correction tapes
  I don’t mind mistakes—but if I’m fixing them, I want something that still feels pretty. These felt small, but intentional. 

Plus my son went through a whole phase of correction tape hoarding. 😆 We have a whole jar of it! 

I always have one with me whenever I do bookkeeping.

• That slim pen-case stapler
  The kind you don’t think you need… until you imagine it sitting neatly inside your pouch, ready when you need it. Compact, practical, and satisfying. A must-have for college and high school students. 

• Animal staplers (yes, the cat)
  Completely unnecessary. Completely adorable. I didn’t take one home—but I get it. I really do.

Me + Cats = Dangerous Combo

• Soft neutral pouches
  These felt very me. Quiet colors, clean look. The kind of thing that makes everything feel a little more put together.

Too bad the attendant was restocking. I wasn’t able to take a closer look. But then again, that could be a good thing. You ladies know my love affair with pouches. I cannot have too many of them! 😁

• Activity kits for kids
  I didn’t buy them, but I paused. They were well-made, thoughtful, and surprisingly affordable. Definitely something I’d consider for gifting…if I didn’t know how to make them. I have a line of activity sets for kids in my Shopee. 

✿ What I Didn’t Buy (and Why)

I also stopped at the watercolor section.

For a moment, I considered picking one up.

But I didn’t.

Not because I didn’t like it—but because I already have one I chose carefully just a few weeks ago.

A Koi watercolor set that I’ve already started using.

And I really like it. 

So I walked away.

I think this is something I’m becoming more intentional about.

There are things we buy because they’re beautiful in the moment.

And then there are things we choose because they actually fit into our life.

I’m learning to pause long enough to tell the difference.

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'Til my next post,

Stay soft. Stay strong. Stay Glowing.

LET'S GLOW.

With elegance and quiet fire, 

Lady E

Exhibitor and speaker at the Philippine Book Festival 2026

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