Junk Journaling Essentials: How to Not Blow the Budget

Ink, Paper, and Plane Tickets: We're Going to Japan!

Have you ever stood in a store and discovered something that completely changed the way you think about a tool you use every day? That's exactly the kind of magic we're chasing in this episode — and we're heading all the way to Japan to find it. We're finally sharing details about our upcoming Japan trip, and spoiler: it's way more than a shopping adventure. We're talking about why Japan has become a dream destination for stationery lovers, the hands-on workshops we're hoping to experience (including making our own custom fountain pen and ink!), and the philosophy of wabi-sabi — finding beauty in imperfection — and how it's quietly shaped both of our creative journeys. We also have a big personal share: Stef's book is almost here. Tune in to hear what it's about and how you can be part of the launch team. If you've been to Japan and have a stationery shop, paper store, or café we absolutely cannot miss — drop it in the comments. We're still building our paper route!

Paper Routes: Our Nashville & New Orleans Finds

In this episode of Everything Journals, we’re sharing some of the stationery shops, bookstores, and creative stops we discovered while traveling at the end of 2025. Head over to patreon.com/everythingjournals [http://patreon.com/everythingjournals] for more long-form content, freebies and a roundup with links for all the stores we discussed in this episode. Stef recently did a solo “paper route” through Nashville, exploring local stationery stores and discovering some unexpected finds—including a junk journaling starter kit and a shop full of incredible paper and art supplies. Not long after, we met up in New Orleans for a sister stationery tour. From letterpress shops and fountain pen stores to art supply shops and cozy bookstores, we spent the trip exploring the city through paper, pens, and creativity. Along the way we share: * The stationery shops we loved in Nashville and New Orleans * The pens and journals we brought home * Our favorite discoveries (including Italian journals and a new fountain pen) * Why stationery shopping is one of our favorite ways to explore a city We also share a few upcoming trips for 2026—including Stef’s next paper route in Scottsdale and our very exciting upcoming stationery adventure in Japan. If you love stationery, journaling, bookstores, and discovering creative shops while traveling, this episode is for you.

What We’re Using in 2026 – Planner & Journal Ecosystems

If you love talking planners, journals, and how everything actually works together in real life… this episode is for you. In this episode, we’re walking through what we’re using in 2026 and how our planner and journal ecosystems are coming together this year. Not just the pretty stuff, but how we’re thinking about functionality, flow, and keeping things realistic and enjoyable. And then… the main event we’re so excited to share: a full walkthrough of Stef’s Paper Purse, an original concept by Stef Kay that transforms what used to hold your every-day bits into a one-of-a-kind, hand-repurposed journal you can fill with memories, ephemera, thoughts, sketches, tickets, tiny treasures, and whatever else your creative life collects. Each Paper Purse is thoughtfully up-cycled and built to grow with you, with durable section-sewn binding, built-in pockets, and space for layers of creativity rather than fighting against them. It’s meant to be displayed and cherished, not tucked away in a drawer once it’s full, and it really feels like it welcomes your stories as you add them. For behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, and extras, join us on Patreon: patreon.com/everythingjournals [patreon.com/everythingjournals] And if you want to grab a Paper Purse, you can find it here: https://everything-journals.com [https://everything-journals.com] Thanks for listening and hanging out with us. Tara & Stef

Junk Journaling Essentials: How to Not Blow the Budget

Starting a junk journal (aka creative journal) can feel overwhelming. Walk into any craft store and suddenly you think you need it all. In this episode, we're breaking down what actually matters when you're just getting started (and what we've learned the hard way along the way). From accordion organizers that saved us on big trips to the glue debate, washi tape redemption arcs, and why a chip bag clip might be your new best friend, we're sharing the basics that keep us creating without blowing the budget or our minds. Whether you're brand new or just curious what's in our bags, this one's for you.

We Made a Podcast Episode... Kind Of? 🎙️

Ok, so here's the deal: Tara and I have been talking about doing a podcast forever. And instead of overthinking it (shocker for us, we know), we just... did it. This is our first episode. It's 30 minutes of us chatting about how we got into journaling, what it means to us, and what we're building here with Everything Journals. Fair warning: * The audio isn't perfect * We definitely ramble * There may be awkward pauses * But it's honest and it's us Topics we cover: * Our very different journaling origin stories * What the practice actually does for us day-to-day * Why Everything Journals exists * What you can expect from this community Watch/listen and let us know: Should we make more of these? What would you want us to talk about? Thanks for being our guinea pigs. We love you for it. Tara & Stef