This is a random collection of things, tools, and services that are making my life easier or happier in some way, or have done so in the past. None of these are affiliate links. I’ll get nothing but a warm fuzzy feeling for maybe improving your life a little, too.

  • Stationary
    • Platinum Plaisier: My very favourite writing pen. Quite budget friendly, too. I might have several, in different colours. The M nib writes buttery-smooth. You can first try out the even cheaper Platinum Preppy (same nibs, see-through plastic barrel).
    • The Wren from Tom’s Studio: Best travel or on-the-go pen. I suggest picking the matte black/midnight insides for better grip when opening and any of the other colours for the cap if you ever want to use a pen loop.
    • The best ever notebook: TBD. I care about a properly solid cover, pages lying flat, paper that’s suitable for fountain pens and subtle lining/squares. No dot grid. Extras such as page numbers, back pockets or bookmarks are nice to have but non-essential. Please let me know if there is one you think I should definitely try out.
  • Dog Stuff
    • ACME dog whistles. They come with fixed, standardised pitches, so you can get replacements if one gets lost or keep multiple in different bags/pockets. I can’t remember the exact reason, but I do remember that I consciously chose the 211.5 version.
    • Nail scratch board.
    • Petlando leashes. Comfortable and strong enough to hold back the 50+kg dog losing her composure at the sight of a cat or squirrel.
  • Writing, Notes & Online Publishing
    • Hugo: Build websites from MarkDown files. Fast.
    • WordPress: While I have personally moved my website from WordPress to Hugo, I had used WP for a long time and my old blog is still archived there. I’m sure there are many people who would be more comfortable with WordPress than a command line tool or who have more use for the additional features than I do.
    • ok-webhosting (German): They have hosted this website for decades. The few times that I did need support, it always was excellent and lightning fast.
  • Beauty, Health & Comfort
    • wool& (with EU based online shop) (Disclaimer: I once got an item for free to review; after years of being a loyal customer, repeat challenge participant and active member of their Facebook group.)
    • Find your local tailor/seamstress. Have (some of) your clothes adjusted to fit you perfectly. Make them truly yours. It’s likely cheaper than you expect.
    • doouup hair clips (German): I’ve had them for years and use them almost daily.
    • Guhl Seidenglanz Föhnlotion (German): with this stuff, my hair is (relatively) smooth and can be combed easily. Without, it’s a mess.
    • Zombies, Run!: Fun audio stories to listen to while running, plus gamification if you’re into that.