WORKING HANDS: Nao Hayashi

As a stationery brand, we are always curious how and what people use our stationery goods for. With this blog series, focusing on the hands at "work" and beyond, we ask five questions about the usage and meaning of the stationery tools to our friends in Los Angeles.

 

For the thirty-third post, we visited our new friend from the fashion world, Nao Hayashi who works at a newly opened Nepenthes Woman Los Angeles, located in the DTLA Fashion District. 

 

 

Q1. How do you use Penco Soft PP Notebook, Sticky Memo Pad Weekly & Monthly?

I use the Soft PP notebook in A7 for jotting down memos and ideas. It’s a lightweight, hardwearing memo book that I want to bring this everywhere. I usually have this in my jacket pocket. 

I like using the Weekly Sticky Memo Pads to see my entire week’s schedule at a glance – easy to follow my schedule this way. I write down fixed appointments at the start of each month on the Monthly Sticky Memo Pad and add to it whenever something new comes up.
These sticky notes are quite convenient to organize work meetings and other plans. I stick these on my laptop or the fridge at home.
Unlike a planner, I love that I can stick it in various places. It's also handy for sharing my schedule with colleagues—I jot down any messages there and pass it along.

We love that you chose the red for your 2026 Minute Manager Planner with Rest Objects’ brass paper clip – we heard that you used to use the same planner in Japan! Why did you select this planner and the color red? 

 

I've been using this planner since I was in Japan because I love how simple and organized it is, with a page for each week and a memo section right next to it where I can jot down everything from work to personal things. A brass paper clip is also essential for my planner because it lets me open pages instantly, much faster than a bookmark.
Also, I used to choose safe colors thinking about using it for a whole year so I wouldn't get bored. But this year, I deliberately chose a bold red. The reason? I got fascinated with that beautiful red, lol.

How do you use the Hourglass L / 15min? 

I use the 15-minute hourglass as a meditation timer. I used to rely on my iPhone's timer function, but in quiet spaces, the sound startles me even though I set it myself. The hourglass avoids that, allowing me to relax more deeply. I also use it when writing emails, organizing documents, or taking short breaks.

Q2. In our technology driven world, what does it mean to make things by your hand to you? 

 

For me, “making things by hand” is a time to be honest with myself, and sometimes it's my own special time. In this age where texting / emailing is the norm, I deliberately write letters and mail them. It takes time, but I feel that much more of my feelings reach the recipient. Also, I think it's wonderful that with letters, you can choose postcards or stationery while thinking of the person you're writing to.

 

Nao is sharpening the Nepenthes NY x Hightide USA Prime Timber Pencil. A special collaboration with Nepenthes NY, launched in November, 2022. We developed a collection of HIGHTIDE staple stationeries in the "Nepenthes" dark navy color. Exclusively sold at Nepenthes and Hightide USA. 

 

 

Q3. Pencil or Mechanical Pencil?

 

I used to be a mechanical pencil person, but over the past year I've switched to being a pencil person. I love the texture when it touches the paper, and I love how the thickness and appearance of the letters change depending on the angle of the pencil. I also enjoy the process of sharpening it every time I use it! So the Prime Timber Pencil combines the best of both mechanical pencils and regular pencils, and I've really been enjoying it lately.

Q4. What’s in your pen case? If you don’t use a pen case, how do you organize your stationery? 


I don't usually carry a pen case, so I keep my pens in a pocket inside my bag. It's super convenient because I can grab one anytime, anywhere! By the way, I stash pens in every single bag, in my car, and basically everywhere lol.

 

Q5. What is your most favorite stationery? 

I love the Knock Ballpoint Pen by BiC. It writes smoothly, and while there's nothing particularly special about it, that's part of why I love it!

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Nao Hayashi works at a newly opened Nepenthes Woman Los Angeles, located in the DTLA Fashion District. She relocated to Los Angeles in June, 2025, and enjoys practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu on her day off. 

Nepenthes Woman Los Angeles has been hosting a shop-in-shop for Hightide Store DTLA during the holiday season! There're tool bags, notebooks, and of course pens. Stop by when you are in the Fashion District. There's Nepenthes Men's store located conveniently right next to the Woman's store. 

Nepenthes Woman Los Angeles
713 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles
CA 90014
(213) 265-7304