For we pen aficionados, our relationships with our favorite fountain pens can be akin to a real-life romance. We initially admire them from afar. Pursue them relentlessly. And cherish and fearlessly guard them from the hands of evildoers (also known as thieves) once we have them.

But just like in any great love affair, making sure your pen endures the test of time requires special care and attention. So here are a few easy ways that we’d like to recommend to help you extend the life of your favorite fountain pen.

1. Always protect the tip of your fountain pen by keeping it covered
   Keeping the tip of your fountain pen covered when not in use is important. Contact with air, liquids, and other elements and substances can damage the nib, and cause the ink to dry out or leak. Besides, losing the cap to your favorite pen is a terrible feeling.
2. Keep away from extreme temperatures
   Extreme hot and cold temperatures can cause serious damages to pens. Common problems can include damage to the finish and seals, discoloring and fading, cracking, swelling, ink evaporation, and leakage.  Don’t leave your pen in vehicles or other areas where it may possibly be exposed to extreme temperatures.
3. Use the refills and parts suggested by the manufacturer
   Every fountain pen is unique. And as I’m sure we all can attest to- not all pens, nor their parts, are created equally. This is why it’s so important to always use the manufacturer’s suggested refills and parts. While lower costs and convenience can make it can tempting to use generic parts or refills created by different makers, doing so can not only damage your pen, but may also void the manufacturer’s warranty.
4. Handle with care
   No matter how durable your pen appears to be, or what incidental damage it’s previously been able to withstand- pens are fragile. They are not designed to be thrown around or handled roughly. Don’t shake your pen, or press too firmly on the tip while writing. Nor should you use it on surfaces and materials it wasn’t designed for. However, you should routinely polish it, as well as drain your inking system.
5. Store them properly
   When you aren’t using your pen, it’s important that you store it properly. Don’t toss it aimlessly into your purse, briefcase, pockets, drawers, and other unsuitable areas. Whether in your day-to-day activities or during traveling, for long-lasting results, it’s important that you store your pen in an upright position with the cap tightly secured. When storing for long periods of non-use, your pen should be kept in a flannel, suede, felt or leather protective case, pouch, or cabinet. Regularly clean your nib to keep it flowing well. Doing so protects your pen from damages such as abrasions, nicks, and breakage. Also make sure to refer to your owner’s manual on how to best do so, since again, every pen is different.

Please refer to your Tornado warranty instruction booklet for even more technical details on how to keep your fountain pen flowing smoothly for years to come.

Do you have more questions on how to properly care for your Retro 51 fountain pen? Wondering what refill or cartridge to use? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook wall and we’ll be more than happy to respond to your questions!

Click to enlarge

If you’ve been a fan or customer (we have a particular fondness for the later ) of Retro 51 pens for a while, then you’ve surely seen our Tornado Pop Series. But what you may not be familiar with is the story behind these uniquely designed pens.

Beginning in the spring of 2008, we thought it would be a great idea to create a seasonal themed pen, in addition to our more traditional Tornado collections. As a maker of fine writing instruments we not only want to make high-quality pens and pencils, but to also design writing instruments that push the boundaries of themes and stylistic appeal. And the Pop Series provided us with a unique opportunity to do just that- using the latest trends, retro fun, and new production techniques.

Our first POP Series (see above) was spring-inspired and featured the Bocks Green, Torsion Pink, and Coil Yellow Tornado. That same summer we created our second Series, which had a tropical flair and included: Tropical Paradise, Route 66, and Waikiki. And we closed out our first year of the Series with the winter themed Skiing Tornado.

Due to the overwhelming response and popular demand, the designs for our POP Series quickly morphed into fashion forward, artistic, and even pop culture themes. The Series now features designs ranging from the eye-popping Yipes to the glow-in-the-dark Zap! But one characteristic remains the same.

All Tornado POP Series pens are limited editions. For each release we only make 500 pens (With the exception of Yipes and the Summer 2008 series, for which we made 1000 pieces. And the Zap, of which we made 525 ).

So if you see a POP you love, don’t hesitate to grab it. High-tail it to your local retailer ASAP! Because once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Do you own a Tornado POP? Which one is your favorite? Did you miss out on one you really want? Leave us your feedback on our Fan Page. We love hearing from you!

To find a retailer near you, please visit our website.

If getting organized was one of your New Year’s Resolutions, you aren’t alone. January is National Get Organized Month- and for good reason. Every New Year’s, thousands of us vow to make getting organized a priority. From our finances, closets, and even kitchen cabinets- almost everyone has some area in their life in which they’d like to clean up their act.

If getting organized is one of your resolutions, here are three simple steps you can take to help ensure your success this year:

Stick to A Plan- There’s an adage that simply says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” And in so many ways, it’s absolutely true.  Getting organized requires that you start with a plan- and stick to it! Identify the specific areas in your life that you’d like to get organized in, and develop a step-by-step plan for addressing them. If you’re unsure of where to start, or need some help developing your plan,  check out this great article on goal setting by world-renowned motivational speaker and training expert, Zig Ziglar.

Be Realistic- Rome wasn’t built in a day. And your all-new organizational system won’t be either. Change takes times. So don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals that will only lead to frustration. Break down your plans into hourly, daily, weekly, or even monthly goals. This way you know exactly what you’ll need to do to to achieve your plan, without becoming totally overwhelmed.

Don’t Quit- One of the easiest things in the world to do is quit. Many of us give up on ourselves before we’ve even had a chance to fully develop our new positive habits. No matter how hard the process gets, don’t stop. Even if you fail more than once, just get back to it. Remember, getting organized is often one of the first and most important steps you can take to achieving new levels of success  in every area of your life.

It’s a new year and a great time to get organized. So what are you waiting for? What areas of your life could stand reorganization? Which spaces in your home or office could use some decluttering? Let us know on the Retro 51 Fan Page.

]]> http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/january-is-national-get-organized-month/feed/ 1 retro51 calendar http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/tis-the-season-for-holiday-traditions/ http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/tis-the-season-for-holiday-traditions/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:55:30 +0000 Retro 51 http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/?p=436 Continue reading →]]> Almost everyone has at least one holiday tradition or activity they enjoy. From spending time with family and friends, to sleeping in and waking up late, the holidays are time of doing what we love- with the people we love most.

While the process of putting up decorations in and around your home can seem more like a chore than a tradition. I’m sure we can all agree that once they’re finally up, the cheer they bring are well worth the effort, especially for children.

Not everyone  is lucky enough to get snow during the holidays, but when it does happen, what a special treat indeed!

For many of us, the holidays signal a time of rest and relaxation. And even if resting isn’t one of your favorite traditions, we’re willing to bet it’s sure to find its way to the top of your to-do list before the holidays are over.

We know we shouldn’t do it, but we just can’t seem to help ourselves to more than a few tasty desserts and treats during the holidays. For some of us, gaining a few ounces (OK…pounds) is a tradition we just can’t seem to shake.

For the brave and tireless amongst us, holiday shopping is a tradition that they simply can’t live without. For the rest of us, simply looking at this picture makes us lethargic. We admire your endurance.

And while few of us want to venture out into the shopping masses ourselves, we more than love receiving a nice gift or two from the efforts of others.

What holiday traditions do you look forward to each year?

From the Retro 51 family to yours, we’d like to wish each and every one of you Happy Holidays! We sincerely thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to bringing you even bigger and better writing instruments and service in 2012!

December is Write to a Friend Month. And what a great time of year to take a few moments to let the people you love and care about know that you’re thinking of them. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of holiday celebrations, shopping, and end-of-year deadlines, receiving a handwritten note from a friend is sure to be a welcome surprise (and perhaps, even a relief).

As we all know, with the advent of technology, many have abandoned traditional pen and paper for social media, emails, text messages and instant messaging. Sadly, the handwritten letter is rapidly becoming a novelty, rather than the norm it used to be. So during the month of December,  we’d like to suggest that you jot a note, write a letter, or simply sign a card, and drop it in the mail.

What should I write? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Share your upcoming New Year’s Resolutions  (it’s a great way to stay accountable)
• Send a family newsletter, recapping the year’s highlights for you and your family
• Share recipes and how-to’s that you can’t live without
• Send coupons and discounts that you know they’ll use and enjoy (i.e. gift cards, rebates, links to money-saving websites etc)
• Send pictures of your family (and don’t forget your pets)
• Send an invitation to visit or spend time together
• Simply say thank you

Whom should I write to? Here are a few folks that we think would love to hear from you:

• A long-lost classmate
• A childhood friend
• A former co-worker
• A relative
• A pen pal (yes, some people still have them)
• A former teacher or professor
• Partner with a charity to send notes to men, women and children in need

Whatever you do, don’t discount the power of your words. Remember, it’s often the little things that matter most. So send a letter today!

One of the hallmarks of a great TV show is often its theme song. Even before the opening credits roll, or the first scene begins, we often find ourselves tapping our feet or humming along to the first few lyrics, or chords of our favorite shows’ themes. And while there are certainly shows of today with some nice theme songs, we of course took a look back at some of our favorites from yesteryear.

Here’s a list of 10 of our favorite retro TV theme songs. Click the images to have a listen and sing along, we sure did!

And let us know on our fan page what’s included on your list of all-time favorite TV shows and theme songs?

While gratitude is always in season, each year Thanksgiving presents us with a special opportunity to express our appreciation amongst  family and friends.

With so much to be grateful for, it’s easy to take for granted, or even forget the many things we have to cherish. But from our families to our health, we don’t have to look very far to see that we all have so much to be thankful for.

Where would we be without our families' love and support?

Good friends keep us grounded and smiling, no matter what comes our way

Our pets provide us with unconditional love and loyalty

At the end of a hard day or week, there truly is no place like home

And while good food is always appreciated, it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a great meal. And for that we are very thankful!

And for the diehard men and women who love their college and professional football, no Thanksgiving Day is complete without a healthy serving of football!

What are you thankful for this year? How will you spend the Thanksgiving holiday? Does your family have any Thanksgiving traditions? We’d love to hear from you.

To all our fans and friends, we would like to express our sincere thanks for all of your support  throughout the year. You are very much appreciated, and we wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

]]> http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/what-are-you-thankful-for/feed/ 0 retro51 Retro Thanksgiving Pic family friends puppies home food football http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/retro-51-snags-the-first-sale-at-the-omni-dallas-hotel-gift-shop/ http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/retro-51-snags-the-first-sale-at-the-omni-dallas-hotel-gift-shop/#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:04:05 +0000 Retro 51 http://retro51blog.wordpress.com/?p=306 Continue reading →]]>

With a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Larry Hagman and Linda Gray of the iconic TV series Dallas, The Omni Dallas Hotel made an impressive and well-received debut on Veterans Day Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:11 a.m.

And we’re proud  to announce that the very first item sold in the hotel’s Collections gift shop was none other than a Blue Curacao Big Shot Tornado by Retro 51!

Special thanks to the staff at the Omni Dallas Hotel for the opportunity. We view this sale as only the beginning of a beautiful partnership!

View pictures of the grand opening celebration of the Omni Dallas Hotel

Electronics, toys, and housewares are all staples, as well as great gift ideas, but we personally think that a fine writing instrument is the way to go. And yes, of course, we are biased.

Here’s our list of the top 5 reasons you should give a pen or pencil to the ones you love this holiday season:

They deserve at least one pen that doesn’t come in a multi-pack or from the discount bin. Not-to-mention that buying in bulk is oh so boring!

You’re tired of repeatedly watching them dig feverishly through their pockets, or purses, for something to write with, only to come up empty-handed.

So they can stop borrowing (aka stealing) your pens, or those of their local restaurants, banks, and doctor’s offices.

Because you may not be able to do much about their questionable fashion sense, but you can help them make a statement with their pen or pencil.

Because even the person who has everything can appreciate a fine writing instrument.

What gifts do you plan on purchasing this holiday season? Will you take advantage of the new early shopping hours on Black Friday, or wait until it’s closer to Christmas? Which pens will you be gifting? Let us know!

A faux billboard created by Jerry Johnson of Orange Outdoor Advertising. Johnson painted satiric, retro-style paintings on this wall annually for about 15 years. - Flickr

From smart phones to handheld tablets, modern technology continues to inundate us with countless and creative ways to replace the need for pen and paper, leaving many to wonder if penmanship still really matters.

Instead of thank you notes, we now text and tweet our appreciation. Rather than sending invitations and save the dates, we email and sync important events on our iPhones and BlackBerry devices. Long gone are the days of stationery and handwritten notes, and even the use of organizers and planners can evoke a light-hearted teasing and chuckle in some public settings.

Throughout this year, numerous articles around the web have explored, and mourned, the loss of penmanship. In a recent New York Times article, The Case for Cursive, Professor Richard S. Christen expresses a common sentiment regarding the waning use of cursive, “These kids are losing time where they create beauty every day,” Professor Christen said. “But it’s hard for me to make a practical argument for it. I’m not one who’s mourning it because of that; I’m mourning the beauty, the aesthetics.”

In almost all states across the country, children are no longer required to learn how to write in cursive, and many struggle to understand even the fundamentals of basic manuscript. In a recent CNN article, author Katia Hetter explores the possibility that America will become, A nation of adults who will write like children? In her article, Katia ponders, “Will younger generations not know the powerful emotions that come from receiving a handwritten love letter that describes all the love someone else feels for you? What about the fear and courage that comes from writing your first love letter that contains all the love you feel for someone else?”

For some, this discussion is less about an artistic loss, and more about acceptance of reality. Many feel that times have changed, and as a result, so too should our ways of communicating. There are many who believe that cursive writing and standardized writing of any form is “old school” and  “aesthetic.”  And we agree, which is exactly why we will always like and miss it.

Do you think penmanship still matters? Or is it a thing of the past? Do you miss receiving handwritten notes? Or do you prefer email and text messaging? Let us know!

Photo Credit