I have always loved collecting and organizing my office supplies.
When I was a teacher, aside from collecting all the children’s books to start my classroom library, I also began collecting all the things that would help keep my desk, and planner neat, orderly, and easy to read .
I recently had the pleasure of attending one of the first Stabilo bloggers events where we learned more about the brand that, I know, so many of us are so familiar with. Truth be told, I was more familiar with the highlighters while I was still in college, than I was with any of their other products…that was until my friend Patty came over one day for our planning session for Crafternoons.

Did you know that the Stabilo Boss Highlighter was the first highlighter ever? I had the Stabilo Boss Highlighter in every color while I was still in college. Photo Credit: Stabilo.com
Patty and I enjoy bringing women together who like to craft. We enjoy the process of creating things with our own hands, and the ability to learn new things. We have planned quite a few Crafternoons where we pick up another way to get crafty and creative in the home and with our blogs.

Cai, Patty and I pictured with Ly Shiel, Senior Manager, Regional Sales and Marketing of Stabilo here in Asia. Cai, Patty and I also like to get crafty together too!
Anyway, one day, Patty pulled out her handy dandy planner and had a set of these Point 88 Minis. It was a convenient little pack of colored pens that fit perfectly in her bag.

I love that my little pen set fits perfectly in my bag. I keep it with my planner all the time. Photo Credit: Stabilo.com
I realized that this was another way for me to keep track of my life. I could use the different colors to write in my planner so that all of my activities would be color coded. She shared that she was able to find these crafty colored pens in Rustan’s. I have always color coded the kids’ calendar and their activities, but I don’t know why the idea to color code my planner never entered my mind… Truth: I was in Rustan’s ATC the very next day, looking for my own set of Fine Point 88’s from Stabilo.
@stabiloph #stabilophFYTC2015 A photo posted by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on
Color coding my activities also makes it really easy for me to see which of my activities takes up the most of my time, at first glance.
But, Stabilo is not just the company behind these fun writing, coloring, and ergonomically correct instruments that I post about here. They actually have a full line of products that range from make up that they manufacture for well known cosmetic companies, outdoor gear like deuter bags, and they even have a Stabilo School.

Learning about the Stabilo School with these mommas was enlightening! We were all equally surprised to learn about Leftie Pens! Both Ginger and Didi were surprised to learn about Leftie pens as well!
This Stabilo school is solely dedicated to the study of writing. I mean the SCIENCE behind writing…scientists have been studying the way we write (no matter if you are right or LEFT handed) and they then invent and improve the types of writing utensils that they manufacture to make it easier on us.
Even more, they make it easier on our kids as they polish their fine motor skills and learn how to write their names. For example if your child is a LEFTY (like my Gellibean) then you should invest in the pencil that would help her write properly without putting any undue stress on her.

The Triple E Pens and Pencils that are designed specifically for left handed people can only aide your child in writing properly. Photo Credit: Stabilo.com
Because they study they way we write, the scientists at the Stabilo School for writing have actually labeled the types of writers that we are, and Blaise, from Stabilo shared them with us during our afternoon tea together. (psst…I absolutely stuffed myself with macarons and tea sandwiches)
Immediately, when I was reading about the different types of writers, I diagnosed Diego as a Bear.
Bears press down very hard. Their hands tire quickly and can even cramp up.
This is totally Diego. In fact, I have often asked him why he’s pressing so hard…I always felt that it was just his personality, and because he’s so intense…but now, I know that with the proper writing tools, he can ease up on his pressure and practice sitting well, so that writing doesn’t strain him so much. That’s why the Stabilo Triple E (Easy Ergonomic Expert) writing series can help him adjust the way he writes so he doesn’t get so tired so easily.
Gelli is in the stage where she is enjoying scribbles. I say scribbles but she says “Name.” When she says “Name,” it’s because she wants paper and markers or crayons to write her name. She can draw point to point now because that’s what she is working on with her OT, and I have seen her draw a face (circle) with eyes and a line for a mouth. I love that she is starting to have fun and express her creativity this way. It’s even more exciting for me now , because I know that there are tools out there for Gelli which will make it easier for her to acquire her writing skills.
I think this was the most intriguing coloring pencil I have ever come across. I will definitely be looking for this in Rustan’s. This super fat pencil made for little fingers is actually a three in one. It can be used a a water color pencil, a coloring pencil, and wax crayon. Your child can write on paper, glass, and even leather. WAIT…here is the magic word for this “Woody,” are you ready for it?
WASHABLE.
And we all know how important THAT word is when we are talking about toddlers…. But here is another word that is equally important when we are talking about how our toddlers learn how to write. GRIP.
How Gelli learns to hold a pencil is super important…and because she is a Leftie, we have to pay extra special attention so that she doesn’t have a hard time. I love the way these pencils are specifically made for Lefties! I never even knew there was such a thing!!!
It’s so easy to tell which pack is for a Leftie or a Rightie by checking out the letter inside the hand next to the Triple E circle. Of course, there are a ton more items I will add to my pencil case after attending this event because, I now know they exist…but I think the finds that I am most excited about are for Diego and Gelli. With the amount of pressure and effort Diego exerts while writing, I know he will benefit from using a new Triple E pencil and pen for next school year.
Gelli is still emerging in her reading and writing skills, but I also know that when she is ready, I will arm her with the tools which can make it easier for her. Here are some of the cute finds we can all look for if you have an affinity for everything pens and pencils and stuff like Didi and I 🙂

Every year, Stabilo releases a new collection which allows us to express ourselves. How cute are these animal printed highlighters and pens?
Confession: Diego loses pencils EVERY DAY. As IN EVERY DAY. I figured if I bought pencils from this collection that they would be easily identifiable and that he would be able to keep them a little longer than their plain yellow counterparts…
They lasted a couple of weeks…
It was worth the try…

These cute little highlighters have already been claimed by my oldest. They are themed. Gia’s set is a series of ghosts while these are Super Heroes. SO CUTE!
The Tribal collection follows the WILD collection of last year. With everything themed and that cute little roll up case, I’m not sure I will be able to resist if it comes for a Point 88 Mini Set…
If you would like to learn more about Stabilo and the classes they offer with their partners throughout the Metro, you can visit the Stabilo site. Check them out on Instagram too!
Yesterday with the beautiful mom bloggers together with @weewilldoodle founder @nelzy after the STABILO Free Your True Colors bloggers forum! 🙂 #STABILO #FYTC A photo posted by STABILOPhilippines (@stabiloph) on