I saw the Post-it Pop-up Notes Desk Grip Dispenser at Staples a few months ago, and just had to have it. It was adorable. It still is, in fact. The disposable dispenser came with 200 post-it notes (alternating in orange and yellow colors), and has a rubber grip to help it stick/suction to whatever flat, smooth surface it happens to be on. The grip actually ripped off last month, but I was able to tape it back into place.

Overall, the dispenser is holding up well. Post-it notes dispense easily enough, and the bright colors definitely accent my desk area well! I just wish that the box was refillable!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Two weeks ago I received an email from Shutterfly, advertising an offer for, among other things, free sets of note cards (only shipping & handling required). I had several photos in mind that would make a nice note card cover, and I can always use cards and stationery, and so I decided to order a set. I ordered one set (12 note cards, envelopes included), was able to easily add my own photo, choose the finish (matte or gloss; I chose matte) and check out, and had my cards in hand within a week’s time, for only $2.64 S&H.

The note cards are 5″ x 3.5″ (I chose the oorizontal layout), and come on sturdy card stock. The photo I chose came out beautifully, as did the cards themselves. My only tiny gripe is that Shutterfly took it upon themselves to advertise on the back of the note cards. I understand needing to get the word out about your company, but if a customer is paying for a product, they shouldn’t have to advertise for you, too!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Several weeks ago my husband came home with a sample of Brother Premium Glossy Photo Paper for me to use. I’ve kind of veered away from glossy in favor of matte, but I still use glossy off and on, particularly for photos of the kids, or photos with lots of colors.

So… I could tell you that I am pleased with the quality of the photo paper. And that while it doesn’t feel as thick as HP’s Premium Plus Photo Paper (Gloss), that it still seems just as good. And that paper thickness would be a moot point since most of our photos go right into albums or photo frames.

But instead I’ll let you judge for yourself. The following is a scan of the same photo printed twice: first on Brother Premium Glossy Photo Paper, and then on HP’s Premium Plus Photo Paper (Gloss). Ignore any crookedness – that is from me failing at lining up the photos properly on the scanning bed.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After doing a quick write up on jenn.nu last week about them, I decided to check out Vista Print and use the coupon code BlogAddress75 and save 75% on an address labels order! Well, for $5.49 I ordered 140 address labels and chose priority shipping. I ordered them last Friday afternoon, and they arrived yesterday (Wednesday).

The address labels themselves are a lot bigger than I realized they would be! Up until this point I have always used address labels that I printed myself, using an Avery template with labels that are 1 3/4″ in length and 1/2″ in height. The return address labels from Vista Print are 2 3/4″ in length and nearly 1″ in height. No biggie – the easier to see, the better they are, I suppose!

My surprise at the larger size aside, I am pleased with the quality of these return address labels, and would definitely order from Vista Print again!

While out yesterday I decided to pick up some more photo paper for my photo printer. After all, I finally have a decent camera to take photos with – the Nikon D40 – so I might as well start printing out, framing and sharing some of these spectacular shots I’ve been taking!

I was distracted by my husband and our children, and it wasn’t until I got home that I realized I had picked up HP Premium Plus Photo Paper, soft gloss, rather than my usual choice, HP Premium Photo Paper, high gloss. I groaned, thinking I’d wind up with disastrous prints like I had with Staples photo paper, but I didn’t feel like going back to the store, so I decided to try out the paper.

I love it. HP, I’m so very sorry for doubting you. You would think that by now I would realize HP is the best out there as far as products and support. Now? I’m definitely sold.

I’ve done my best to take non-glare shots of some of the photos I’ve printed out. While taking a picture of a picture (or in this case, of five pictures) isn’t recommended for accurate results, it’s the best I could do!

I haven’t bothered to have my photos printed at stores since I got my first half-decent printer, which was in 2004. Instead, I’ve printed photos myself – first on an HP 2400, then an HP 2610, and now on my photo printer, the HP Photosmart 475.

I have always used the best inks for each printer, but have tried out different types of photo paper. Earlier this year I decided to take advantage of a sale at Staples and buy some of their photo paper. I specifically chose the Staples Photo Supreme paper, since it claimed to be of the highest quality of their line.

Sadly, I am rather disappointed with the quality of the so-called “supreme” photo paper. Despite the claims of the photo paper being high gloss, I found my photos to look rather dull and matte. Also, the quality of print wasn’t that great, despite using an excellent, very crisp and clear photo and printing using the best settings.

Bottom line? Spend the money and get yourself good, quality photo paper – I recommend HP.