A couple of weeks ago, I stayed at a terrific vacation rental home on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The house was huge, immaculate, and completely charming. We had pots and pans for cooking, beach umbrellas and chairs, and board games galore. The one thing that we found ourselves needing time and again that the owner neglected to provide was… pens and paper.

You don't think about how many uses there are for a pen and paper until you're on vacation without them.

Our lack of pens and paper resulted in grocery lists, directions, and board game tally sheets written in crayon on the inside of cereal boxes. Let's just say it was quite a sight to be carrying around at the area Wal-Mart.

So, next time you're at your vacation home or your housekeeper is restocking your supplies, please add a box of Bic pens and some multipurpose or loose-leaf paper to your list.

Thank you,

Kristin Dorsett
Assistant Editor, Owner Community