So there we were—my sister and I, strolling through sunny Santa Monica on our girls’ trip, not looking for a stationery store. But then… we saw it. Paper Source. Our feet came to a dramatic halt, followed by a shared gasp of pure paper joy.
Neither of us had ever been inside one before, and the moment we walked in, it was like we’d entered the enchanted forest of paper goods. Imagine kids in a candy store, but swap the candy for notecards, journals, and washi tape. I practically floated toward the wall of writing papers and postcards like a moth to a beautifully foiled flame.
I spent a solid 30 minutes (okay, maybe closer to 45) in that section alone, swooning over all the letter sets. After a dramatic internal debate, I chose a pastel blue set with dainty blue flowers and silver foil—30 sheets and 24 envelopes of pure happiness. It was pretty, practical, and perfect for my ongoing love affair with snail mail.
Of course, I couldn’t stop there. I also picked up some scalloped flat cards and matching pastel envelopes because… well, look at them. They practically begged to be written on.
Now, what I really wanted was a textured paper set with coordinating envelopes that looked and felt like it came from the stationery gods themselves—but alas, it was a little out of budget. Someday, dear textured paper, someday.
The rest of the store? A total feast for the senses. Gorgeous specialty wrapping paper that made me wish I had a gift to wrap. Rubber stamps, washi tape, notebooks, ink pads, spa goodies, candy, and more temptations than a clearance sale at a pen shop.
My only regret? Not having a bottomless wallet or a professional photographer on standby. That place was adorable, and I should’ve taken more pictures to document my joy.
And if anyone ever asks me, “Do you really need more stationery?”
My answer will be simple: Need is such a strong word.
For a letter-writing, paper-hoarding, ephemera-loving soul like me, Paper Source was pure magic. I walked in feeling curious and walked out as if I’d just stepped back in time—clutching paper pretties like a 1920s socialite on her way to pen the next great romantic correspondence.
The whole experience made me long for the days when people wrote with fountain pens by candlelight, sealed envelopes with wax, and waited patiently for the postman like it was Christmas morning.
As soon as I got home, I started mentally matching stationery sets to my pen pals and picking the perfect postcard messages for my next round of Postcrossing. (Yes, the blue floral set already has a list of recipients.)
That’s the thing about places like Paper Source—they don’t just sell paper. They spark stories. They awaken creativity. They remind us that words on paper still matter, especially when sent with heart and a good postage stamp.
So here’s to more unexpected discoveries, more handwritten moments, and more shops that make paper lovers feel right at home.
Signed, sealed, and dearly postmarked.
XOXO,
~ JarieLyn ~
I love your passion for paper! In this world, it is so refreshing to see someone excited about things they adore and yes, Need is a strong word!!!! I didn’t know Paper Source had retail stores like that, we ordered from them on a wholesale level when we had an envelope printing company! Usually just specialty letterhead a client was requesting, but we didn’t do letterhead often.
The envelopes you send your letters in came from your envelope printing company. I always wondered about that. So cool. That type of business would have been right up my alley.