Bear Does Not Smiggle

Bear loves stationery. What can I say? I could buy cartloads of pretty notebooks, fancy pens and all the wonderful fripperies that go with it. I just had a delivery of washi tape and paper bookmarks. DH also has a weakness for a browse among paper, files, and desk sets, although he doesn't indulge it as much as I do.

Today we went to the White Rose Centre to pick up some printer ink and I told bear that if he liked we could have a look in Smiggle. I told him that it was a shop with stationery in. I was partially right. I gave bear some money and waited outside for him. Within minutes he had stalked back out. Smiggle sells pens, but not the sort of pens that bear covets. Bear is interested in fineliners (?) and fountain pens. Smiggle sells fluffy pens with unicorn on them. It sells pencil cases covered in sequins and backpacks with glitter on. There were a lot of young girls in there and bear was unimpressed. I've tried to avoid stereotyping and let him follow his interests, but bear has never been interested in 'girly' stuff. Mind you, neither have I.

We ended up going to WHSmiths, where I did the same - sent him in with some money and let him get on with it - partly so I couldn't be tempted. Bear came out after a while with some goodies and then we drove home, almost without incident, although I did go a slightly longer way to avoid changing lanes. The dual carriageway was really busy and I knew I would never be able to change in time for our turn. 

Bear had spent a loooong time in WHSmiths and this evening was talking about some other sorts of pens, which I can't remember. Apparently there are YouTube channels dedicated to them and bear had seen them in WHSmiths but failed to buy one. He wondered if he could buy one online which led him to find an online shop called Cult Pens. I have warned him that it is for special occasions and big rewards only. I hope this sticks, but my pen-loving, calligraphy-using brother is dropping in tomorrow. He may be an influence.