Stationery Solutions

Nov 2024

Ita-Bags for FANDOM CRAZE

The Ita-Bag is a ‘painfully’ intriguing way to showcase your latest obsession.
Nov 2024 | By Sim Yi Wen

Ever heard of the word ‘Ita-Bag’? It originated in Japan in the early 2000s and takes inspiration from ‘Itai’, which can mean both ‘pain’ or ‘exceeding’. An Ita-Bag refers to bags that are decorated with fandom merchandise such as badges, buttons, ﬁgurines, and more. Customisation options are endless as you have full creative control over how your Ita-Bag is put together. The ‘pain’ in Ita-Bag refers to the pain inﬂicted on the apparel due to the excessive and dramatic display. This wildly popular and unique fashion accessory has allowed anime and manga fans worldwide to showcase their latest craze and connect with like-minded individuals.

Ita-Bags (Assorted Designs, Colours & Sizes) ($7.90 - $69.90) are now making their way to POPULAR Bookstores, with a variety of designs as well as modular components you can add on to create more interesting and unique Ita-Bags. The backpack alone comes in several designs that feature a clear panel on its front for displaying fandom merchandise. The clear panel in one of the designs can also become a detachable pouch so you can easily customise the portability of your bag based on the activities for the day. You can also have your pick of messenger bags, sling bags, and chest bags that are versatile enough for various occasions. Otherwise, choose from pouches and pencil bags that will help brighten any day at school or at work.

Have a prized ﬁgurine that you are particularly in love with and want to parade around but don’t want to get scratches on it? The solution is simple. Get the specialised mini charm bag that’s the perfect size for ﬁgurines, then attach them to your bag to shine the spotlight on it. It comes with adorable puffy balls that not just cushion the ﬁgurine but also add a touch of winsome charm to them.

Get an Ita-Bag at any POPULAR Bookstore today, and get creative with your fandom-themed masterpiece!

Accessories are for illustration purposes only and are not included.

Aug 2024

GIFTING GUIDE

While you’re in the heat of the frenzy of getting Teachers’ Day gifts and with Children’s Day on the horizon, you might find yourself needing a little help in the gifting department.
Aug 2024 | By Sim Yi Wen

Getting a thoughtful gift for someone gets tougher each year because you eventually run out of fresh gift ideas. If the thought of gifting a beloved teacher another red pen or buying the same trinkets or snacks for Children’s Day each year takes the wind out of your sails, here’s an idea board you might appreciate!

Appreciating Our Teachers & Mentors
Combining practicality and heartfelt appreciation, the STABILO Teachers’ Day Gift Set (UP: $18.95/set) features the latest MARKdry whiteboard marker, a sharpener, three Exam Grade ballpoint pens in essential colours like red, black, and blue, as well as a beautifully crafted Teachers’ Day card where you can pen heartfelt messages of gratitude and admiration. It is the perfect combination of function and sentiments! Teachers will also appreciate that the game-changing MARKdry marker is designed to never dry out. Its comfortable grip, eco-friendly design, and hassle-free clean-up process also make it a coveted classroom solution.

For teachers who are carefree, whimsical souls at heart, consider getting them a Teddy Bear Multipurpose Charm (Assorted Designs) (UP: $29.90) that adds just a tinge of kawaii to their day. Otherwise, a Key Charm (Assorted Designs) (UP: $3.90) would also be a reminder of the doors of opportunities they’ve unlocked. Pair these gifts with a note of appreciation for their support and guidance and you’ll have the perfect gift.

Those who prefer the classic mugs and notebooks for their functionality, don’t miss the interesting motifs featured on our range of 320ml Teachers’ Day Mugs (UP: $10.90 each) and Notebook 2-Pc Sets (UP: $4.50/set) in assorted designs. Otherwise, the adorable heart-shaped Teachers’ Day Ceramic Coaster (Assorted Designs) (UP: $5.90 each) can also brighten up the teacher’s desk with a splash of aesthetics and will come in handy for the morning coffee. These classic gifts are affordable enough to create your own combo, so have your pick of fun motifs, colourful prints, and witty puns!

Celebrating the Gift of Childhood
Grown-ups know, with the benefit of hindsight and rosetinted lenses on bygone days, that our childhood might be one of the most uniquely joyful times in our lives, and has the power to create lasting memories and teach lifelong lessons.

While you’re focusing on making learning fun for children, try the Smart Education Card Reader Drawing Machine (UP: $29.90). It covers topics like the alphabet, Chinese characters, mathematics, colours, animals, fruits, and more in 40 pieces of learning cards and 80 pages of content, all of which has audio to help children learn the pronunciations too. Available in English and Chinese and equipped with a clear, drawable LCD screen, young tots will have a whale of a time learning through storytelling. Its use of AAA batteries also means that you never have to charge it up, simply pop in batteries and you’re good to go.

More artistically-inclined children would perhaps prefer the 8.5” Educational Learn and Play LCD Tracing Pad (UP: $25.90 each). 20 pieces of learning cards that can be inserted into the pad cover topics like the alphabet, mathematics, animals, and more, while allowing young users to draw and learn at the same time. The LCD tracing pad is made with durable ABS recycled material while its transparent LCD screen emits no blue light, making it safe for the environment and the users too! Just the touch of a button and children can experience the joy of making unlimited drawings.

What’s a gift that embraces both the artistic and logical sides of children while inculcating values such as a sense of responsibility and encouraging creativity and imagination? Yes, the DIY LED Watch Colouring Set (Assorted Designs) (UP: $15.90) is an all-rounder gift. A fully customisable watch that has the potential to be your little artist’s next masterpiece, it comes with non-toxic markers for children to design their watches freely. The silicone wristband makes it reusable and splash-proof, making it the perfect companion at playtime. The watch also lights up with LED lights so it’s truly a functional and fun accessory. Ditch the toys this year and give children the gift of creativity and confidence in the form of a watch that tells time in their own unique style!

Those who are obsessed with Japanese anime and the beloved cartoon character, Crayon Shin-Chan, would be thrilled to become a proud owner of the PLUS Crayon Shin Chan MR Correction Tape (UP: $3.90 each). While the collection sports four designs for fans of the series, it isn’t all looks and no substance. The comfortable and smooth Mini Roller Head, one-touch cap for tip protection, and easily changeable refill cartridges all go into creating the perfect user experience.

A thoughtful gift is one that truly keeps on giving, whether by being a useful everyday tool or brightening up gloomy days. We hope these gift ideas will help make the gift-buying process just a little simpler!

May 2024

New Releases for STATIONERY ADDICTS

The thrill of unwrapping some new stationery never gets old for stationery addicts!
May 2024 | By Sim Yi Wen

As we enter the second half of the year, some of us might already be feeling some lethargy and inertia, while the lucky ones are probably still raring to go. No matter your state of mind, there’s certainly no harm in getting some retail therapy that can help you feel thrilled about what lies ahead. Stationery addicts, especially, are in for a real treat with the launch of several novelty collections. Here are some you shouldn’t miss!

Novelty Twist on the Everyday
The Pilot Juice series of pens has always been a crowdfavourite known for its water-resistant, high-quality pigment ink, lightweight pen barrel, rubberised grip, and retractable function, all of which goes into creating the ultimate writing experience. That’s why you’d certainly be keen to check out the new Pilot Juice Colour with You Series ($1.75 each; Set of 6 for $10.40) which consists of two different collections — Classic or Kusumi. Encased in a warm cream barrel, the Classic collection comes in an array of six retro-chic ink colours. Fans of all things pastel would love the Kusumi collection which features six soft muted ink colours, all housed in stylish tinted barrels. This new collection is sure to add a touch of joy to all your writing endeavours.

If you’ve always had the habit of making gorgeous mind maps or everyday journaling, you’d have heard of the Zebra Mildliner Brush series. In collaboration with popular illustrator Ocha-san, you can now get your hands on three adorably designed OCHA X Zebra Mildliner Brush + Stencil Set ($7.85/set) to add fun doodles in your planners, journals, cards, and more!

Fans of all things kawaii would also love the unique Japanese motifs in PLUS’ line of stationery with five lovely designs featuring the Sumo, Ninja, Bushido, Maid, and Sushi! You can have them on the sleek-looking Twiggy Scissors ($9.50/pair) that sports excellent sharpness with the Bernoulli curved blade, or the pen-like Whiper PL Correction Tape ($3.50), and even the compact Norino Beans Glue Tape ($3.50).

Classic Sanrio With a Twist
While new prints are exciting to have, some of us just can’t get enough of our childhood favourites. Want to add something to your desk to brighten up your day? Make one yourself with the KEEPPLEY Sanrio Building Block Set ($12.90 – $16.90). Licensed by Sanrio and in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hello Kitty, these sets let you engage in puzzle-solving to build your own fruit-themed cupcakes, collectible characters, and other interesting designs.

Those who aren’t particularly ‘crafty’ need not fret either, for you can also get a different kind of surprise on your own terms with the Mighty Jaxx Kandy X Sanrio ft. Jason Freeny Series 02 (Choco Edition) blind box collection ($18.90 each)! This new release features all your favourite Sanrio characters in a deliciously tempting chocolate-inspired design. Each figurine showcases a clear-coloured half that resembles different chocolate flavours, such as the pinkish hue of raspberry chocolate or the golden yellow of caramel chocolate. The collection includes six regular characters and one rare edition in a blind box format. Will you be able to collect them all and satisfy your sweet tooth?

We hope you’ll be able to spruce up your personal space and make work or learning a more enjoyable process. Be sure to keep a lookout for great discounts on the products featured here within this issue of POPCLUB!

Mar 2024

EXAM ESSENTIALS

As the pace of a new academic year gains heat, it’s best that you have everything you need!
Mar 2024 | By Sim Yi Wen

Getting yourself ready for the exams often goes beyond academic content, but this is something many students underestimate and often neglect. Factors like time management, legible handwriting, a well-built revision environment, and customised notes that’s catered to your level of understanding and competence can help you a great deal as you inch towards the last mile of exam preparation.

Essential Stationery
If you’re not sure where to start, always begin with the essential stationery that you use every school day or revision session. Don’t want the hassle of picking them out individually? Go for the STABILO Exam Kit Set ($7.40) with four Exam Grade 2B pencils, one Exam Grade eraser, one X-Shock sharpener, and one plastic pencil case to keep them together. Top it off with a STABILO Swing Cool Pastel Highlighter Set ($16.00) consisting of eight pastel shades. With this, you’d be able to single out key points from the large amount of information, and even colour-code them to bump up your efﬁciency during revision sessions. Smudge-proof and reduced bleed-through, this series has a fast dry time even when used on glossy paper. Its Anti Dry-Out technology means you’d be unstoppable even in a four-hour study session.

To spruce things up a little, you can also consider the Maped Shaker Pencil Sharpener ($1.80) with a transparent in-built canister for greater convenience. Its two-hole design means most pencils will ﬁt in it with ease. The Plus Mount Fuji Omamori Eraser ($3.00) makes for another cute addition to your daily essentials. Designed as a blue block that slowly turns into Mount Fuji as its core is revealed when the corners turn rounded with use, this adorable eraser is perfect for your own use as well as for gifting to your friends in school! For those who use the pen more frequently, don’t miss out on the eco-friendly Plus Paper Case Correction Tape ($2.90) that’s packaged in a paper case and as compact as they come. With this in hand, you won’t have to worry about your essays getting messy and cluttered when you need to make edits.

Good Notes & Practices
With the basics settled, you should consider what you will need for your ﬁnal revision and practice papers. Ensuring a healthy stock of note pads and writing pads will save you from last-minute scrambles to the bookstore once you go on intensive mode during revision season. The ESPP Coloured Lecture Pad ($2.40 each) is a vibrant and compact A5-sized notebook designed to increase productivity with a burst of colours. Featuring 70 sheets in four lively shades — blue, yellow, green, and pink — note-taking will become both a visually-engaging and seamlessly organised experience as you can use different colours for different subjects or projects. Add on the 3M Post-it Notes ($8.70) for making ad-hoc lists or keeping track of your homework progress as it sticks and resticks securely.The ﬁnal step would be to go head-on into practice papers so you can simulate the exam environment and train yourself in withstanding the time pressure. The POP Bazic A4 Lecture Pad Bundle ($10.90) comes in packs of ﬁve to sustain you throughout your practice sessions. For the older students, make sure your calculator is in good condition or you might ﬁnd yourself in a ﬁx. The Casio FX-991CW New Classwiz Scientiﬁc Calculator ($53.00) is a dual-powered 10 + 2-digit display calculator approved for use in the A-Level exams that’s packed with features for teaching and studying maths. A home screen with its various calculator apps allow for easy selection of calculation mode, while the spreadsheet feature is great for learning statistics, recursive formulas, and more. Supported by the Math Box app, there are Dice Roll and Coin Toss functions for probability simulations. You can also input equations into the calculator to generate QR codes that will then display the graphs and other graphics on your smartphone or tablet.

Be ahead of the curve when it comes to maximising your learning efﬁciency and start by optimising your learning environment. Check out the latest promotions for these products at all POPULAR Bookstores now!

Aug 2023

DIY LANTERNS

With Mid-Autumn Festival happening on 29 September, it’s time to make your own lantern!
Aug 2023 | By Sim Yi Wen

Materials Required

STABILO EASYgraph 2B Pencil

STABILO Jumbo Colour Pencils

STABILO Power Max/ Trio Jumbo/ Trio 2-in-1 Water-based Felt Pens

STABILO Woody 3-in-1/ Yippy Wax crayon

1L tetra pack of juice/ milk (emptied, cleaned, and dried)

ribbon/ string

stick for hanging your lantern

drawing block paper/ coloured paper

eraser

brush

small cup of water

glue/ double-sided tape

scissors

pen knife

Steps to Creating Your Own Lantern

Peel off the printed layer of paper from the tetra pack.

Draw a rectangle on the front (where the cap is located) and back sides of the length of the tetra pack. Cut out the two rectangles using a pen knife.

Use the STABILO Power Max or watercolour pencils to create different layers of the night sky on all sides of the tetra pack. Try colours like pink, blue, and light blue to create different tones. Draw a moon, stars, clouds, and grass on all sides. You can use crayons or colour pencils to colour the moon and clouds.

Use a brush and water to blend the different coloured layers of the sky to achieve gradient tones and a soft effect throughout the box. Set the tetra pack aside to let the background colours dry.

Meanwhile, draw and colour some rabbits and flowers on the drawing block for decoration, then cut and paste them onto the tetra pack.

Pierce a hole on the left and right side of the tetra pack and thread a ribbon/ string through them and tie the end within the tetra pack.

Hang the ribbon on a stick and your DIY lantern is complete!

May 2023

TRENDY & FUNCTIONAL

Who says you can’t have stationery that’s both cool to own and extremely handy to use?
May 2023 | By Sim Yi Wen

It is often said that appearances can be misleading, suggesting that what looks good may not always be what it seems. That’s why it always thrills us when we ﬁnd something that’s not just fancy and trendy, but also extremely functional and practical. Here, we introduce some of our favourite stationery that will surely up your user experience!

1 Plus Guard Your ID Stamp
With online shopping fast becoming a staple daily activity, we are well-acquainted with the excitement of receiving parcels, but we’re certainly not a fan of discarding the packaging thereafter, particularly as they often come printed with our personal details. With the Plus Guard Your ID Stamp ($15.90 – $16.90), it’s now much easier to protect your privacy and personal information.

2 Rechargeable Flexilight
Some things never get old, such as cuddling up with a good book at night as part of your wind-down routine. As much as we hope to dim the lights during this bedtime activity, we know it’s not good for the eyes. With the rechargeable flexilight ($29.90 each), you can now go ahead to clip it on your book and turn down the lights. Well-equipped with 20 lumens of warm light and two energy- efficient LEDs, the rechargeable flexilight lasts up to four hours on a full charge, helping you make the most of reading time just before bed. With nine adorable designs and a flexible neck that can adjust to any position, it’ll make reading time a time of both comfort and fun.

3 Sleek & Funky Stationery
Everything can be a fashion statement and a form of self-expression, even the type of pens you use. Office workers who want both a sleek accessory and a functional pen can opt for the 10th Year Anniversary Pilot Juice Pen Series ($1.75 each). Inspired by the playful colours of fruit-flavoured smoothies and milk beverages, this series comes in two new collections, ‘Natural Smoothie’ and ‘Sweet Milk’, with a total of 12 limited-edition ink colours. Not only are they easy on the eyes, they are also a dream to write with as they come in a 0.5mm nib and a rubberised grip for a seamless and comfortable writing experience.

For those who prefer a thicker barrel for better grip, give the Uniball One P Series ($6.00 each) a shot! It even comes with a wide clip so that it’s both compact and portable. Not only can you choose from a 0.38mm or 0.5mm nib, you can also choose from eight colours of the pen barrel, featuring interesting shades like yogurt, banana, mint, and soda.

If you’re hoping to add a little colour to your school-going children’s stationery set, you can check out the STABILO BOSS MINI Highlighter by Snooze One Series ($7.80 – $15.60) which sports the unique designs of the Berlin-based lettering artist Snooze One. Combining hand lettering, graffiti, and comic elements, each highlighter in the five-colour set comes with bold statements such as “Small World Big Plans” or comic classics like “Bam!”. Snooze One’s iconic style of creative expression is definitely well-suited to the Gen Zs.

With these choice picks, there’s no reason for you to have to choose between style and functionality anymore!

Mar 2023

POKÉMON Merchandise Galore

Pokémon fans are in for a treat with a variety of merchandise featuring our favourite Pokémon.
Mar 2023 | By Sim Yi Wen

Nothing stirs up childhood memories and bonds generations of people better than seeing internationally- acclaimed Anime and Game series rejuvenate themselves in various ways. One of the most popular franchises of all time is undoubtedly the Pokémon franchise. Well, the good news is that they’ve never really left the pop culture scene, and we’re seeing a surge of merchandise being developed for these adorable creatures once more. Check out what’s in store for fans below!

1 Stationery
The Pilot Juice Up Gel Pokémon Pens ($5.00 each) let fans choose from various Pokémon including Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax as well as the first partner Pokémon such as Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Each pen barrel features the Pokémon in a variety of eye-catching designs. And it isn’t just a visual feast, as the Pilot Juice Up Gel Pens come with a special nib known as the synergy tip for a steady flow of ink and a smooth writing experience. It is a great addition not just for Pokémon lovers but also avid stationery fans.

2 Games
Talking about games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) ($18.90 – $59.90) immediately comes to mind as a key collectible developed based on the Pokémon franchise. Two decades after its launch, its rare items have absolutely skyrocketed in value, with some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, the first main expansion cards from the Scarlet & Violet series ($7.50 – $79.90), which will be launched on 31 March 2023, also marks the return of Pokémon-EX and is the first to feature Generation IX and the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet games. It is sure to stir up interest in this trading card game once more. You might also be interested in the Pokémon TCG Crown Zenith Elite Trainer Box ($89.90), which comes with exclusive accessories — a deck box, metal dice, metal coin, and metal condition markers — plus 10 booster packs. The TCG series merchandise are available at selected POPULAR Bookstores only.

3 Figurines
If you’re also into the Pop Mart craze of adorably well-designed figurines, the Pokémon series of figurines will surely impress you. First up is the Takara Tomy Moncolle series ($24.95 each) of Pokémon, in which every part of the creature is faithfully reproduced, and yet, you can still move its arms for play. If you want to up the interactivity factor, the Cool Transform Poké Ball ($24.90) is as interactive as they come. You can display it in its full-fledged form or transform it into a Poké Ball. Those who have nifty hands will appreciate the Keeppley Pokémon ($3.90 – $69.90) modular building toy sets that let you assemble your favourite Pokémon characters yourself, which also makes it a great gift option for young children to nurture problem- solving skills and creativity.

Title

Learning Tools for GROWING TOTS

Early brain development can have lasting impact on a child’s learning ability in life.
Mar 2023 | By Sim Yi Wen

It is said that from birth to the age of five, a child’s cognitive development is greater than at any other time in their life. Naturally, this prized golden period is the perfect time for children to observe, learn, and explore as much as possible. If you’re racking your brains all day for ways to keep your kids engaged, here are some learning tools that may help alleviate your worries.

1 Sketch Board
The myFirst Sketch series ($29.90 – $79.90) is a Sketch Board for parents and children to interact through creative expression when drawing. With a fine-tipped stylus for writing and doodling and the ability to erase as you wish, it is now mess-free and paper-free no matter what you draw or write. Toddlers can learn to improve their motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while kids aged two years and up can master fine motor skills. Even preschoolers can use it as a form of creative expression or simply for bonding activities with the family.

2 Art & Colouring
If you’ve noticed an artistic flair in your child, you can give them a nudge in that direction. Drawing and painting are said to develop fine motor skills, ignite imagination, and express and balance emotions. Establishing creative activities early in childhood can nurture a child’s creative spirit. With this objective in mind, keep a look out for purposefully designed tools that can aid a child’s visual perception and develop the right grip and critical pre-writing skills. Faber-Castell’s Little Creatives Series and the STABILO Woody 3-in-1 Coloured Pencils are all ergonomically-designed to make it easy for young children to manoeuvre. The former is designed with clever features, like smash- proof paintbrushes, super-washable paints, and break-resistant easy- grip crayons. The latter comes in a thick, round shape that helps make colouring fun for small hands.

The Faber-Castell Little Creatives Series ($1.50 – $9.90) includes crayons, markers, paints, and scissors, so children can explore and play with all sorts of craft activities. It is easy to clean and non-toxic, so parents can have peace of mind and focus on bonding with the little ones. On the other hand, the STABILO Woody 3-in-1 ($28.25 – $74.45) is a multi-talented coloured pencil that packs a coloured pencil, crayon, and watercolour all in one. Offering vibrant colour intensity and opacity, the woody 3-in-1 pencils work brilliantly on a variety of surfaces. The colour washes off windows and mirrors easily with water and cloth. They are also long-lasting and robust with its 10mm diameter lead size containing as much colour as eight standard coloured pencils. Available in 18 vibrant colours and six cool pastel colours, children can use them for a long time even as they grow into more mature artists.

3 Flash Cards
Many parents make use of flash cards to introduce new words and concepts to young children. However, it must be emphasised that the right type of flash cards is also important. Children are not likely to be receptive to mere words on flash cards, so be sure to pick one that comes with pictures and context where possible. The Creative’s series of flash cards ($12.90 each), for example, is a great option. In the Colours Flash Cards, there are 40 cards showing different colours as well as various objects having those colours. Similarly, the Shapes Flash Cards help children learn about various geometrical shapes and relate these shapes to objects that children often see on a daily basis.

The Alphabet Flash Cards are also great for reinforcing alphabet awareness, as it includes pictures and pictures of words that begin with the same letter sound. There are even 14 activity cards offering creative activities that reinforce learning and also help children practise the sequencing of letters.

If you’re on the hunt for other learning tools, check out the full range at any POPULAR Bookstore now!

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