From Colleen to Pen Paper Palooza: Why I Can’t Wait for This Weekend’s Pop-Up

by Michelle MaliZaki, Founder of Pen Paper Palooza

When I was four years old, I met my first true love — a box of Colleen colored pencils.I can still see them lined up like tiny rainbows in their plastic case, all perfectly sharpened and full of promise. I remember the smell — that mix of wood, wax, and pure happiness.

I spent hours arranging them: by color, by favorite, even by “who looked the nicest.” (Pink was always the friendliest.) That’s when my lifelong obsession with stationery began — and I still have some of those Colleen pencils today. Their tips are worn down and the box is faded, but they remind me of that first spark of joy.

Fast forward a few decades — and about 800 pens later — I’m still that same little girl, surrounded by paper, pens, and possibility. ✨

For me, stationery isn’t just about writing. It’s about dreaming.Every notebook holds a new beginning.Every pen color carries a mood.Even that one notebook you’ve been “saving for something special” — yes, I see you — is a gentle reminder that creativity waits for no one.

When I worked for a Japanese notebook company, I thought I’d reached stationery heaven. But something was missing: community.

I didn’t just want to sell notebooks. I wanted to celebrate them — and the people who love them. Writers, artists, journalers, planners, doodlers, dreamers — all of us who walk into a stationery store and immediately feel at home.

That’s how Pen Paper Palooza was born — a festival where we celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy of analog life in a digital world.

And now, this blog is my cozy corner of that world. Here, I’ll share stories behind the paper — from artist spotlights and journaling tips to behind-the-scenes moments at our events.

If you’ve ever tested ten pens just to find the one, or bought a notebook “just in case inspiration strikes,” welcome. You’re my kind of people. 💕

Let’s fill these pages together — one pen stroke at a time.

📅 This Weekend: PPP Pop-Up on Abbot Kinney!

Saturday, November 8, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMAlbion Garden — 1043 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

• ⏰ Timed entry: Morning slots (10 AM & 11 AM) are sold out.Great news: Noon, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM still have space — come hang in the afternoon!(Afternoon tickets available at the door as capacity allows.)

• 🎟️ Kujibiki raffle: Every ticket wins a prize on the spot!

• 🍽️ Café vibes: Enjoy an iced matcha latte or French toast while you shop local.

• 🛍️ Vendors: Mostly women-owned, local creatives offering journals, stamps, fountain pens, washi, accessories, and more.

• 🚗 Parking: Plenty of street parking, a lot behind the venue, and more lots nearby.

👉 Get your tickets here: www.PenPaperPalooza.com

✏️ About the AuthorMichelle MaliZaki is a comedian, stationery cheerleader, and founder of Pen Paper Palooza, Los Angeles’s most joyful stationery festival. When she’s not organizing pop-ups or performing stand-up, she’s probably rearranging her pen collection — currently at 800 and counting.