Dear Reader,
Ever since I was little, I always had a bag. In the beginning, my mom packed it, usually for long car rides, the doctor’s office, a plane trip, or large family gatherings where I could slip away into the quiet. Back then it held books, crayons, my notebook, puzzles, and little tactile toys.
Over time, my bag has changed. I pack it myself now and it serves the same purpose as it did years ago. My bag is how I regulate and ground myself. It is a small, portable piece of my world that travels with me wherever I go.
So let’s get inside, shall we? I want to share with you everything I take with me when I write from The Pfister:
Journal
I keep two journals, one personal, one specifically for my time at The Pfister. The Pfister journal is by Esmie, made in England. I was drawn to the bamboo and blossom silk-screen printed cover, hand-selected from a textile collection in Kyoto, Japan. It feels right for this kind of archiving.
Pen
Also from England, my pen is a 1950s Parker Duofold, a gift from my dear friend Britt, who shares my love of journaling and pens. I typically write with extra fine or fine nibs, but this one is medium, and I love the personality of it. The way it moves across the ivory pages of my journal is something I wasn’t expecting to love as much as I do.
Ink
I use Waterman’s black. Through my collecting journey I learned it’s one of the best inks for vintage fountain pens, and black is a color I always return to. Classic, without apology.
Brass Hand Clip
Small, but sooo necessary. It holds pages down in my journal, marks a place in a book, or doubles as a bag accessory. The Victorians had a deep affinity for hand imagery, and so do I.
Camera
Not film, but it looks like it. That’s exactly why I love it. My Fujifilm XT-10 is an older model, lightweight, and the way it captures a moment feels slightly surreal and magical. Fujifilm’s color science will do that to you.
Edwin Highcastle
He doesn’t come out much yet. He’s still getting used to this space, and honestly, so am I when it comes to having him here. Edwin is a 1908 W. Britain metal figurine, a British toy company founded in 1893 and beloved by collectors for their historically detailed, hand-painted figures. He travels with me everywhere and is received with curiosity. It can be uncomfortable to carry unconventional things and then feel obligated to explain them. But I don’t want that to stop me. So you’ll see him from time to time. He keeps me accountable and he is, without question, a real hoot.
Bluetooth Typewriter Keyboard
This one doesn’t always make the trip. I love the tactile feeling and sound of it, the way it makes writing feel like it has weight and intention, like walking somewhere instead of driving. It can be a bit cumbersome, so it travels with me only occasionally.