With this great British heatwave blazing down on us, it’s practically criminal to not make the most of the good weather. Just as on the weekdays pub gardens are filled with merry workers looking to enjoy a G&T in the sun, at the weekend parks are bursting with groups of friends having picnics, BBQs and drinks.

So, if you’re looking to enjoy some alfresco dining (bottle of Pimms essential, obviously), but are searching for a stylish yet practical way to carry your snacks, why not use our Wink Snack Boxes. Bold, punchy and colourful, they’re just the thing to see you through your summer snacking.

The more food the merrier

When you’re picnicking there are several important decisions that you need to consider, one of which is sausage rolls or scotch eggs (substitute with vegetarian and vegan variations as applicable).

But why should you need to choose? Aren’t us millennials supposed to be able to have it all (minus being able to afford avocados and a house)?

Our Wink Snack Boxes mean that your stomach will never have to make a tough decision again. Coming in four different sizes that can fit a myriad of different snacks and treats, there’s no need to sacrifice either sausage rolls or scotch eggs. Have both. Happy days.

Stack ‘em up

As you’ve got older you’ve come to realise that storage space is in slim supply. Put one packet of pasta in your larder and all you’re left with is room for a singular pot of paprika. Yep, adulting sucks.

Thankfully, our Wink Snack Boxes are just the thing if your cupboard space is somewhat lacking. Stacking inside each other like Russian Dolls, they’re a simple and fuss-free way of making the best of a poky cubbyhole.

Pimp your office lunch

And if you don’t just want to use our Snack Boxes on your days off (it would be a shame to hide them away), they’re also perfect for work lunches.

Coming in four bold designs, these Snack Boxes are stylish, playful and will certainly be the stand out addition in the office fridge. To really turn your colleagues’ heads, you can also pair them with our Wink Travel Mug.

So, if fancy spicing up your Tupperware, you can stock up on our Wink Snack Boxes here.

Live happy. Be bold.

At Mustard we’re all about feeling bold and feeling confident. That’s why our products are so colourful and punchy. We want to inspire fearlessness. However, we also know that confidence doesn’t always come naturally. Sometimes you gotta fake it till you make it.

With this in mind, we’ve come up with some top tips (and some top products) that will help you become the boldest, the most confident and the most fearless version of you. GO GET ‘EM (or something much less cheesy…).

Dress the part

They may not be the most favourably remembered fashion trend but shoulder pads certainly encouraged confidence. In fact, statement-making wide shoulders were the power-play outfit of choice for women around the world.

While they’ve come in and out of fashion since the ‘80s, shoulder pads – and those who wore them – were onto something. Your outfit really can transform your mood.

For something a little less Janet Jackson, why not try our T-Rex Pin Badges. With a fearless dinosaur design, these Pins will add a bit of T-Rex confidence to any outfit. Wear all three for serious boldness.

Whether or not you choose to don shoulder pads for your next big meeting is up to you.

Colour & confidence

When it comes to confidence, colour is key – something that was proven by our ‘Be Bold’ competition on Instagram in which many cited red as their bold colour of choice. But you don’t have to go straight for red; any bright colour can make you feel like you can take over the world.

Our Banana Notebook has a stand-out punchy blue and yellow banana design that will inspire confidence as and when you need it. If you need a bit of a boost while presenting in front of your colleagues, try reading your notes off our Banana Notebook to peel (get it?) the positivity. For extra banana boldness, pair the Notebook with our Banana Document Wallets.

Fruity and fearless.

Live happy. Be bold.

When it comes to socks, earrings and stationery, matching is always better. Able to make you feel like you have your life together even if you’re three months behind on your electricity bill, matching sets are the epitome of “sorted”. And really, who doesn’t want to be “sorted”?

While you’re on your own when it comes to choosing a matching pair of socks each morning (we know it’s not always as easy as it seems), we can help with the matching stationery set part.

So, if you fancy walking into work and laying out a bold stationery set guaranteed to turn heads, here are three options that will make it seem like you have “sorted” written across your forehead.

A stand out stationery set

Adding the playfulness to fashion, our Wink collection includes cheeky and on-trend products to give your desk the edge.

From our lip-shaped Sticky Notes, to our grid-dot Notebook, Page Markers, Pencil Case and Weekly Planner (which comes with two magnets so it can be stuck to your fridge), our Wink stationery set is a chic and cheerful way to decorate your workspace.

And if you fancy going the extra mile and pairing up your lunch with your stationery, our Wink collection also includes stackable Snack Boxes and a travel-friendly Double Wall Mug. How’s that for “sorted”?

A pop-art punch

For a stationery set with a bit of bite, look no further than our T-Rex collection.

Pop-art inspired and colourful, spice up your space with our T-Rex Mini Pencil Case, fierce grid-dot Notebook, dino Sticky Notes, Page Markers, and novelty T-Rex Highlighters.

So whether you’re planning your next presentation, doing some freelance work in your spare time, or doodling in a day-dream, our T-Rex stationery set includes all the punchy accessories to help you get down to business the bold way.

For a summer vibe

With the current heatwave blazing down on us, it only makes sense that bananas have ripened up to become one of the hottest trends of the season.

To bring a little fruitiness into your life, try our Banana collection. With two bright Notebooks (one cyan, one magenta), Page Markers, a Mini Pencil Case, Sticky Notes and Document Wallets to choose from, our Banana stationery set will have you peeling the positivity before you know it.

And to give your lunch a little b-a-n-a-n-a-s treatment, pack your brain food in our Banana Snack Boxes.

Work happy. Be bold.

The time has come to say enough is enough when it comes to boring tech.

With most of us using the same phones – Android, iPhone or perhaps a Huawei or a Nokia if you like to ride against the wave – it can be difficult to add personality to your devices.

This is where Mustard comes in. We believe that tech doesn’t have to be dull, doesn’t have to be drab and certainly doesn’t need to stick to the whole black-grey colour scheme (why must all gadgets look like they’re in mourning?).

So, if you’re tired of the same-old tech accessories and are looking for something with a bit more individuality and a bit more punch, we’ve got just the fruity picks for you. In fact, these bold choices will help you Tech Your Way To One Of Your Five A Day.*

Potassium power

Phone? Check. Work phone? Check. Tablet? Check. Crummy battery life and not enough plug sockets to charge all your devices at once? Check.

…Or so you thought…

Luckily, our Banana USB Hub can connect all your gadgets in one fruity place, meaning you only need to source a single plug socket to power up your tech – though admittedly, this is no walk in the park with an office full of Apple addicts.

With four USB ports and a stand-out summery design, our Hub means that sacrificing one device over another will be a thing of the past. After all, nobody likes picking favourites.

Do the banana split

Music helps us work that bit faster and brain storm that bit better. If you’ve got a killer motivational playlist that helps you get down to business, why not tune in with our Banana Audio Splitter. Bright yellow and shaped like a banana for a bold aesthetic, it’s the ultimate way to get you peeling the positivity as you tick off your tasks.

And if you’re lucky enough to commute with a friend, our Splitter means that you can happily share your music to and from work.

*NB: Not for actual consumption. But you knew that. We hope…

Work happy. Be bold.

Mustard Loves: Going Potty With Page Markers…

While tearing up old sweet wrappers and slotting them into your notebook might be the best way to make good of a zealous Quality Street addiction, we can think of a healthier way to keep track of your most important ideas.

Our colourful page markers can be slotted into your notebook or planner to mark out special occasions, must-remember events and all your vital notes. Plus, they’re low-tac, meaning they can be stuck to any and every page without damaging the paper.

So whether you’re wowing in meetings, doodling in your free time, or planning that all-important presentation, check out our five page markers to go potty with.

Keep an eye on it

Featuring two eye and lip designs, Mustard’s Wink Page Markers are a stylish way to stay on the ball when you’re recalling ideas in a meeting. Simply stick the markers on your biggest, brightest and best ideas and relay them with ease in front of the office.

Rainbow markers

Although the days of using sweet wrappers may be behind you, there’s no need to settle for a boring alternative. Our Rainbow Page Markers may not taste as good (seriously don’t try eating them), but they more than match up to Quality Street in terms of colour.

Roar-some

To add a punchy pop-art vibe to your notebook, try our T-Rex Page Markers. Featuring a lime green and a cyan T-Rex design, these markers will make sure you never lose that page again. They also perfectly pair up with our T-Rex grid-dot Notebook, which comes in cyan and magenta.

Go bonkers

If you’re a little bit fruity (aren’t we all?), why not decorate your notes with our Banana Page Markers. Bright yellow and attention-grabbing, they’re the ideal way to create a workspace with more than a little appeel…

Stay succulent

If you want page markers just as sharp as your ideas, look no further than our Cactus Page Markers. Not only will these prickly pals help you stay on top of your notes but they’re the perfect way to nail (or prick) the cactus trend.

Work happy!

Mental health at work can be a bit of a tricky topic. Up there with the likes of Brexit, general politics and what the correct pronunciation of ‘scone’ is, chatting about wellbeing with colleagues isn’t the easiest task in the world.

However, as the general attitude towards mental health seems to be shifting for the better (see MQ’s ‘We Swear’ campaign), at Mustard we think it’s time to tackle wellbeing at work head on. Here are a few top tips:

So little time so much to do?

When we’re super busy at work we can often end up feeling super stressed, but it’s also important to remember that if we’re not busy enough it can also detrimentally impact our mental health.

Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind, states that not being busy enough is a common trigger for poor mental health: “Remember that not having enough work, activities or change in your life can be just as stressful a situation as having too much to deal with.”

If you’re finding your workload a little unbalanced, speak to your manager about either taking on new responsibilities or cutting down on your current ones. Don’t suffer in silence!

How curious…

Curiosity is a feeling that usually depletes when you’re feeling down. However, experiencing new things and meeting new people is integral to self-worth, so it’s definitely worth pushing yourself out of your comfort zone!

If you’re not feeling challenged enough at work then join some after work clubs, reading groups or even learn a new language (though us Brits are notoriously shoddy at that). Curiosity, after all, didn’t really kill the cat.

A helping hand

Sometimes promoting our own happiness means offering a helping hand to those around us. Now we’re not suggesting you turn into Mother Teresa, but complimenting a colleague, going out of your way to help a team member or bringing in a cake to work (don’t worry, it can be shop bought) can really make you feel good about yourself.

Plus, this sort of thing is often a two way street and friends and colleagues will be more likely help you out too!

Live happy!

The UK Samaritans number is 116 123 – call for confidential support

Why The Time Is Ripe For A Banana Pencil Case

You can smell it in the air and feel it in your bones: summer. From picnics in the park to sweating it out on public transport, you’re greeted with all the familiar features of the season i.e. the parsley aroma of Johnson’s Holiday Sun and a few too many Magnum ice-creams after work.

However, summer isn’t only great because of the aforementioned; it’s also the time when you get to bounce around in colour heaven thanks to all the bright hues that trend alongside the sunshine.

Generation Z yellow is hot stuff, but it’s not the easiest colour to pull off and often works better as an accent. Cue Mustard’s Mini Banana Pencil Case.

Featuring a fruity bright yellow banana design and a contrasting cyan blue background, it’s stationery that just screams summer (or, you know, SUMMER). Not only does it have a cute banana charm zipper, but the zingy yellow elastic band means it can also be attached to your notebook or planner and taken on the go.

And if you’re more ashamed of your handwriting than the state of your bedroom floor and just don’t see yourself needing pens and pencils, our Banana Pencil Case also doubles up as a punchy make-up bag.

Who would have thought stationery could be so bang on trend? The time is definitely ripe for a Banana Pencil Case.

Work happy!

If you’re looking to get organised and increase your productivity then bullet journaling could be just the hobby for you. Needing only two bits of equipment (a pen and a notebook), bullet journaling is a therapeutic and relaxing way to spend your time that doesn’t involve vegging out in front of Netflix for the majority of the day (yeah, we need to kick that habit ASAP). Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, take a look at our 3 Bullet Journals To Blow You Away.

Bullet Journals

Beauty

The debate of a hard cover v a soft cover notebook isn’t one that’s going to be settled any time soon and it basically just comes down to personal preference. If you’re searching for a cute hard cover notebook to scribble down all your colourful bullet journal lists then look no further than our Wink Notebook.

Not only does this Notebook have a retro print and – of course – grid-dot pages, but the hard cover and lay-flat binding also makes bullet journaling that bit easier when you can’t find a desk to lean on.

Bite

Dinosaurs are currently all the rage and our T-Rex Notebook is a pop-art take on the iconic predator.  Colourful and on-trend, this Notebook is so punchy we bet that your bujo game will be all the more confident for it.

And if you’re looking for a pencil case vibrant enough to carry all your favourite bullet pens then why not match our T-Rex Notebook to the Mini Pencil Case from the same collection – a dino-mite gifting duo that every bullet journaler needs.

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

If you’ve exhausted all semi-interesting podcasts to listen to on your commute and fancy mixing things up on the train or bus then why not try bullet journaling in Mustard’s Banana Notebook. Featuring a colourful and fruity banana print and the grid-dot pages essential for getting your “bujo” on, this Notebook is also lightweight with a soft cover meaning it can be carried to and from work with ease.

Plus, thanks to the yellow ribbon bookmark, losing your journaling place will be a thing of the past.

A Marble Laptop Case More Mouth-watering Than A Marshmallow

If your most prized gadget isn’t your phone then it’s your laptop. Necessary to work and play (those Game of Thrones episodes aren’t going to watch themselves), laptops are a possession that the majority of us like to keep safe and sound – and not just because the feeling of breaking one is worse than some actual relationship break-ups. Sorry, Kevin.

However, sometimes the need for protection can lead to your beloved laptop being carried around in a clunky laptop bag that looks like it belongs to your best friend’s ageing uncle. Not great.

Luckily for you and your laptop, here at Mustard we’ve been able to strike the perfect balance between style and practicality with our Marble Laptop Case. Made from Neoprene and featuring a plush aqua lining to protect your laptop from scratches and dust, it’s the ultimate way to transport your most hallowed gadget from A to B. Compatible with most Macbooks and 13″ laptops, you can also slide your important documents into the case (/ ASOS’s latest magazine).

Not only does our Laptop Case stand out during commutes thanks to its pastel pink and turquoise pattern, but it’s also a head turner when it’s sitting pretty on your desk or coffee table. If you don’t fancy lugging around your computer or you’re more of a home worker, our Marble Case can also be used to store your laptop – sort of like a super snug (and stylish) sleeping bag for your tech.

Work happy!

Much like herbal tea, washi tape comes in a million and one different colours (and probably flavours) to suit every mood. If polka dots aren’t your thing, then fear not because you’ve also got stripes, stars, flowers, gingham, dogtooth, and chequered (we’re running out of patterns here but you get the picture) to play with. In fact, there’s probably a washi tape out there with your face on it.

Maybe.

Once the obsession of stationery addicts and stationery addicts only, washi tape has made its way into the mainstream and it’s not hard to see why. Able to spruce up just about anything it touches, washi tape is an easy way to decorate and customise with maximum results.

However, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, so Mustard have put together three wonderful ways washi tape your way to success using our very own Rainbow Washi Tape. Coming in five different varieties, this colourful washi tape set will truly let you roll out the rainbow.

Pimp your planner

Planners are great for turning procrastination into plans and goals into action, but washi tape can take the aesthetic side of planning to a whole new level. If you’ve got an important date, a week booked off for holiday, or you just really like Fridays (who doesn’t?), why not frame that date with our kawaii washi tape. With five different colourful gradients to choose from, your planner will be covered with all the colours of the rainbow in no time.

Plus, if you’re using one of Mustard’s Weekly Planners, which come with two magnets so you can pop it on your fridge, your taping skills can be marveled by all.

Go bujo crazy

Bullet journaling (done in a special “bujo” notebook like our grid-dot Wink Notebook) and washi tape are essentially a match made in stationery heaven. Whatever your bullet journaling focus, be that lists, ideas, or mind-maps, our Rainbow Washi Tape is sure to take your bujo game up a notch or two.

From framing pages, customising divides, decorating your notebook cover with geometric patterns and creating tabs, the possibilities for bullet journaling and washi tape are endless!

The everyday bits and bobs

But washi tape doesn’t just have to be used in a stationery context. Thanks to its low-tack properties, it’s also perfect for decorating everyday bits and bobs without leaving a mark.

To inject some colour into your tech, why not try covering the back of your phone in one of our five Rainbow Washi Tapes depending on your mood. Plus, our Washi Tape is the perfect width to decorate nail varnish lids and can be used to customise your keyboard too.

Work happy!

Like the tale of David and Goliath, it’s sometimes the little things that pack the biggest punch (or the most accurate sling shot). A vase of flowers can transform a room, a smile can make someone’s day and, when it comes to work, some quirky pencil toppers can really brighten up your desk.

Small but mighty, pencil toppers are capable of adding a pop of colour to even the most sterile of corporate environments and here at Mustard we have the same opinion of pencil toppers as we do of stationery in general: the more the merrier.

So if you’re looking for a quick, easy (and affordable!) way of brightening up your desk, check out our fun selection of pencil toppers.

Tropic like it’s hot

While you might consider “work” and “holiday” as mutually exclusive, you can still bring vacation vibes to your desk with our Totally Tropical Pineapple Toppers. Pineapple-shaped and coming in a variety of vibrant colours, these cute and fruity little erasers will put a smile on your face whenever they catch your eye.

And if your desk is looking a little short of pencils, you can also pop these Toppers on your pens, your coffee stirrer, or even your lolly sticks (don’t pretend that you haven’t got a stash).

A bird’s eye view

If you’ve never managed to master the art of origami and have been looking on with envy at your colleague’s extensive collection of perfectly made lotus flowers and cranes, why not cheat your way to success with our Origami Eraser Toppers.

Coming in a cute clear jar that makes them perfect for gifting and stocking fillers, our hummingbird-shaped Pencil Toppers are a guaranteed way of brightening up your desk.

Just your luck

We’re old and wise enough (we think) to know that not every day can be a good day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t push the fortune wheel in our favour with our Lucky Cat Eraser Toppers.

Coming in yellow, orange, turquoise, magenta and purple variations, these cute kitty erasers will truly help you rub out in style. Plus, if you get really bored you can always give each Lucky Cat a different personality and create a Sims-esque narrative with them.*

*Inspiration can be taken from the Mustard design team’s video to the right.

Work happy!

If you went around your office with a clipboard (or a tablet – it is the 21^st century I suppose) and made note of who managed to get their recommended 30 minutes of exercise five times a week, we’re guessing you’d be as concerned as Jamie Oliver was when he saw the state of school dinners.

Now we’re not suggesting that you do a Jamie and start banning turkey dinosaurs and other delicious (albeit hugely unhealthy) snacks, but we do recommend encouraging some simple desk exercises that can be done in the workplace. Our 3 Desk Exercises You Never Knew You Needed are quick and easy routines that can be done at work to try and counter the effects of sitting down all day.

(You might need to check with your doctor before you start these exercises)

3 Desk Exercises You Never Knew You Needed

1. The Magic Carpet Ride

If you think killer abs can only be obtained through a strict regimen of kale, fat-free yogurt and sit-ups then think again. It turns out you can work your stomach while in your office with a desk exercise called ‘The Magic Carpet Ride’ (Aladdin spring to mind for anyone else?).

To get started simply sit on your chair with crossed legs and place your hands on the armrests. Then slowly suck in your stomach and raise yourself an inch or so above your seat just using your belly and hands. Hold for 20 seconds, rest for 30, repeat five times. Easy.

via GIPHY

2. Stretch It Out

Sitting in more or less the same position all day (hunched over your computer screen like a gargoyle) is going to make your body tighten up. To prevent you from leaving work looking like you’d be more at home swinging from the tops of Notre Dame, try stretching out your body while at the office.

This desk exercise involves a number of different stretches to target different parts of your body. For the classic “let’s get down to business neck stretch”, touch your ear to your shoulder and hold it there for a few seconds before moving onto the other side. To loosen up your chest, stretch your arms behind your back and imagine squeezing a pen between your shoulder blades, and to give your back a nice old arch, stand up holding onto the back of your chair and bend backwards.

3. All About The Base

When you’re hankering for “leg day” this ‘All About The Base’ desk exercise is the routine that you need. Sit in your chair while extending one leg straight in front of you and hold it for three seconds before raising it as high as you can (or as high as your desk allows) and holding it for another three seconds. Repeat the leg lifter on each side 15 times.

Hydrate Away

Alongside desk exercises, it’s also vital to stay hydrated throughout the day, which you can do with our stylish and cute T-Rex Water Bottle. Magenta pink and featuring a pop-art inspired dinosaur, this Water Bottle can easily slide into your bag or rucksack thanks to its square shape. With a combination of hydration and these quick and easy desk routines, you’ll be feeling more energetic and more productive (with a whole lot less back pain) before you know it.

Work happy!

Images via GIPHY