Posts filed under Store Visit

Montblanc Boutique, Honolulu - Shop Visit

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

My family and I spent spring break in Oahu, Hawaii and I managed to finagle a few minutes away when we went to the Ala Moana Mall in Honolulu. Aside from getting lunch (which was their primary goal,) I also wanted to check out the Montblanc Boutique. The Ala Moana Mall is one of, if not the, largest outdoor malls and it is worth checking out, for all the food and shopping, even if you’re not into pens (but you are, which is why you’re reading this, amirite?).

Montblanc Boutique, Honolulu - Shop Visit

Montblanc Boutique, Honolulu at the Ala Moana Mall.

The sign outside on a sunny day.

Montblanc is a luxury brand, known for more than just pens, such as accessories, leather goods and watches.

Sunglasses, suitcases, and other fancy things!

Leather accessories like wallets, portfolios, briefcases, etc.

Watches (if y’all think pens are expensive, watches are next level.)

This 1858 Geosphere will set you back $6,000.

Let’s be real though, I didn’t stop in the shop to look at accessories and watches, I came to see pens!

More limited edition pens on the wall, like Jane Austen, Gatsby, Maria Callas, and more.

The Origin Collection - The Coral ones on the right are extra stunning.

Around the World in 80 Days Collection.

I knew about Montblanc’s Bespoke customization program but I thought it was just for special nib sizes. I had no idea they could do other fancy designs too! I wish I had more time to spend at the shop, because the staff can help design a bespoke nib for you on their computer. Maybe someday when I win the lottery.

Check out this one-of-a-kind rabbit engraved nib with a set-in ruby!

They had these cool postcards and encouraged me to take one of each design as a souvenir!

Once I picked out a postcard to send to myself (something I forgot to do for the rest of the trip, oops), they asked if I needed a pen to write with!

I picked the BB (since I can’t write with obliques). What a fun nib!

Then you drop the postcard into their very cool mailbox and they will stamp it and mail it for you.

Carl Saito was such a kind, friendly salesman, who answered lots of questions and showed me various pens that I couldn’t afford, lol. His personal daily carry is this stunning Montblanc Solitaire Le Petit Prince ballpoint! If you see him, tell him I said hi!

They didn’t have the Renoir ink I was looking for but I thought this Coal Blue ink, along with my postcard, would also be good souvenirs of my visit!

Quick swatches of the Coal Blue ink - it’s much more of a grey than blue.

The Montblanc Honolulu boutique is located in the Ala Moana Center, at 1450 Ala Moana Blvd Suite #2215, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. The store is open daily from 10am - 8pm. You can reach them by phone at 1-808-942-4810 or via email.

PS - if you do go to the mall and like poke bowls, head down to the garage level and go to Foodland. You won’t regret it.

This was one of two poke displays, each with different kinds of poke. It was utterly mind-blowing, amazing and delicicious.


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Posted on April 18, 2025 and filed under Montblanc, Store Visit.

Shorthand Shop Visit

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

I visited a few stationery shops when I was in the SoCal area after the CA Pen Show in February. In addition to Paper Plant Co, I also went to the Shorthand shop in the Larchmont Village neighborhood (the other location is in Highland Park). Larchmont Village has several blocks of cute shops and restaurants, so this was a great location to walk around. Let’s take a look!

Shorthand Shop

Shorthand, Larchmont Village location.

Can’t wait to go inside!

I gasped out loud (in a good way) when I stepped inside because it is such a visually pleasing aethestic!

I love the airy, open feeling inside the shop. There is a lot of room to browse and you never feel rushed.

After gasping upon entry, I looked to my right and saw this color-coordinated window display from the inside.

There is a wall full of greeting cards to choose from. In fact, this is only half of what’s on this wall. You can also buy the posters displayed above the cards.

More cards!

In the corner is this awesome wooden card catalog which holds all sorts of refills - from fountain pen ink cartridges, to ballpoint and rollerball refills, to pencil leads!

Look at all this colorful eye candy on the walls! My inner matchy-matchy heart was bursting!

Any green fans out there?

I bet no one likes orange either, right? Maybe one guy, but he’s a lil sus. 🙂

Shorthand isn’t a pen store, per se, but they did have assorted pens, including fountain pens, available.

Here are some of their fountain pens.

A few more pens, as well as custom stationery and other assorted items, in the glass case at the counter.

Since I was just at the CA Pen Show a couple days prior, I wasn’t on the hunt for anything in particular. I still enjoyed looking at the products in my favorite colors and being able to talk to the staff in a relaxed environment.

I couldn’t resist this awesomely colorful clutch pencil from Koh-i-noor, as well as their shop postcard.

As I mentioned above, there are two Shorthand locations: this one in Larchmont Village at 126 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 and the other in Highland Park at 5030 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042. Both shops are open daily from 10am - 7pm. You can reach them via their online contact form. You can call the Larchmont location at 323-640-1793 or Highland Park location at 323-642-9039. Shorthand is also on Instagram as Shop Shorthand.


Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on April 11, 2025 and filed under Store Visit.

Paper Plant Co. Shop Visit

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

I hung out for a couple extra days after the 2025 California Pen Show and one of the things I wanted to do was visit some stationery shops. Let’s be real, that’s what I want to do in pretty much any city, lol. One of the places I wanted to check out was Paper Plant Co in Los Angeles’ Chinatown district. They recently expanded their space and now have a separate space for home/lifestyle goods (and coffee!!) next door to their stationery space. Let’s take a look!

Paper Plant Co. Shop Visit

The Paper Plant Co coffee shop/home space on the left and stationery shop on the right.

Can’t wait to go inside! Pro tip: Go do your shopping before you get your coffee/tea so you can take your time, have your hands available to check out the goodies, and not spill!

I love all the red lanterns that were hanging from the ceiling of this entryway.

The shop is pretty compact, but they manage to pack a lot of fun things in the shop.

Look at all of these shelves full of goodies like papers, pens, and more!

Paper, stickers, wax seals, bookmarks…

More stickers, papers, tags, portable scissors, too.

I forgot to get a shot of this table of pens and notebooks so you get a zoomed in picture instead, oops.

Next to the stationery shop is the cozy Home & Lifestyle space, where you can order a coffee or tea and shop for some fun products! Pro tip: If you’re not pressed for time, after stationery shopping, grab a coffee/tea and sit outside to enjoy the Southern California weather.

Inside the Home & Lifestyle space.

Look to the right from the entrance and you’ll find wooden boxes from Classicky, as well as candles, incense, and other fun things for the home.

Look to the left and you’ll see embroidery kits, air fresheners, key chains, pins, etc. There are also cups, brewing equipment, etc. along this wall too.

So many neat things in here, including chocolates packed like sardines!

Since I just came from the CA pen show a couple days before, I kept my haul to a minimum: Multi-sticker sheets by eric small things (you can put them on fabric!), a shop sticker, an exclusive Stalogy x Paper Plant Co notebook, and a Shchi-iro marker that allows you to write on washi tape! I also played with their shop stamps too.

Both of the Paper Plant Co spaces are relatively small, but there’s even more online, so be sure to check out their website too. Paper Plant Co’s stationery space is located at 936 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, while the Home & Gifts space is next door at 938 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. They are open daily from 9AM - 4PM. They can also be reached by email or by phone at 213-269-9784, and they are on Instagram as Paper Plant Co.

Posted on March 7, 2025 and filed under Store Visit, Paper Plant Co..