Fall Wedding Boutonnieres

We are quickly approaching the fall wedding season. (Hooray! I love fall!) Our store is now filled with great fall colors - oranges, greens, browns, mustard yellows, etc. We love it! I came across these amazing and whimsical boutonnieres that would be so perfect for a fall outdoor wedding! Just something a little different. You can purchase them online at Etsy.com under lalalaurie. Not getting married, but still love them ... I also think they would be so cute on a great fall blazer or pinned to a scarf! Don't you?

[photo courtesy of Esty.com - lalalaurie]

Soda Love

Today is Saturday - the day I work alone in the shop! We are either really busy with twelve customers, or I am sitting here looking for things to do! So, I am designing my window display for fall - I was going to do a candy window (see my last blog), until I found this. I was thinking it would be fun to do a window full of colored soda bottles, orange, black and brown. I went to the Jones Soda website and found this cool thing. You can submit a photo and a caption - personalized soda! I am going to get some for my kids parties, holiday hostess gifts, birthday parties, etc. I love it when I come across things like this! This will definitely make it to the "Really Great Ideas" file! Go to www.myjones.com!

Anyway - just something fun for Saturday. Customers ... gotta go!

[photos courtesy of Jones Soda]

So Sweeet!

It seems so crazy, but we are already well on our way to a busy 2008 holiday season. For the last two weeks we have been designing custom Halloween invitations and Christmas invitations! So, we have been scouring for inspriration! In the process, we came across this amazing candy display...and if you know us, we don't think there is a better combination than sugar and paper!

[photo courtesy of Rebecca Thuss]

Eight Things to Love on 08-08-08

1. Chandler & Price Pilot Letterpress (more on this later)


2. Hunter Wellies


3. Amy Smythe Birthday Cards


4. Amsale Blue Label Morgan Gown - Maybe I could wear this with the Wellies


5. Summertime drinks in an ice-filled galvanized tub


6. Soodie & Brian are getting married today!


7.Oversized gold link bracelets


8. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games

So Proud!

Okay, I am going to take a minute and make a quick diversion from my findings regarding my stationery shop. I have a seven year old son who just spent the last three days playing in a golf tournament. Now just getting out there three days in a row would be exhausting for most of us - but in 100 degree heat! Anyway, I am so proud. He took fifth place in his flight and had that smile on his face the whole time. Well, most of the time, except when his Gatorade got warm.

Davis, that is my son's name, was really inspiring out there. Watching him play was a real treat and worth every minute. I think this is something I will never forget!

By the way, they use paper when they play golf, the scorecards. I knew I could connect golf to paper!

Photo courtesy of Dave Bax

Chris Kenny

So...we are always looking for great ways to use paper - and wait until you see this.

Chris Kenny produces an unexpected kind of poetry with his three-dimensional ‘drawings’ and constructions made from twigs, fragments of maps and strips of found text. Objects or phrases of the same type are mounted on pins and organised in a way that suggests an intention to rationalise the differences between them.

We just love it when we find something that inspires us! To see more of his works visit www.englandgallery.com and search under the artists Chris Kenny.

The Return of the Calling Card

I recieved my weekly copy of TIME magazine on Saturday and opened it to find a great article on the return of the calling card. We have always thought these little cards made a big statement, seems like the editors at TIME magazine now agree!

"'Is it technology fatigue? A colorful way of branding yourself? We're not sure,' says Peter Hopkins of Crane & Co....calling cards - essentially nonbusiness business cards - have brought a welcome dose of energy to the stationery industry. Among the buyers: playdate-seeking parents eager for a sane way to exchange contact info, retirees who miss having business cards and itinerant young professionals whose cell phones and e-mail addresses are their most reliable locators."

Clearly, whoever you are, a calling card is a great idea. It is a great way to to express yourself. The options for these cards are truly endless, colored paper, custom logos, letterpressed, you name it. We can't wait to help you with your new identity!

Photos courtesy of Mr. Boddington available through Bennett Schneider

Linda & Harriett

We picked up this great line at the National Stationery Show in May. We fell in love with their letterpressed animal notecards and notepads, which we now have in stock. The line is so crisp and bold, we love it. Our favorite thing, these flower pins. These are made by hand from letterpress misprints. The paper petals are sewn together with a vintage button on top and pin on reverse.

Around here, you will find us wearing them, everyday. We think they add a touch of whimsy to the perfectly wrapped gift or a bridesmaid's dress!

Jennifer and Antony Ferguson

I love my job...for a lot of reasons. But, what truly makes the stationery/invitation business rewarding is the people I get to meet. I love that brief interactions become glimpses into all the special occasions and moments in their lives; weddings, babies, anniversary parties, birthday parties, etc. We get to see so much.

I met Jennifer and Antony at a wedding show in February of 2007. A few months later they walked into our shop and made going to work on Saturdays so rewarding. We were able to help Jennifer and Antony with invitations, thank you notes, menus, programs, rehearsal dinner invitations, etc. and every moment was great! The greatest for me was when I received my own invitation to their wedding in the mail. Dave (my husband) and I attended their May 25, 2008 wedding - it was perfect. So we would like to wish Jennifer and Antony all the best - and keep in touch. I know you live in California now, but we know of a great little shop in Kansas City who can help with some stationery!

Hudson & Jane

Have we mentioned we have a new neighbor? Hudson & Jane, formerly located on the Country Club Plaza, has taken up residence on both sides of us. To the West we have Jane, and to the East Hudson. They have a fabulous selection of men's and women's clothing - top of the line - and the customer service to match it. We are really excited to have them here!

momAgenda's are here!

We have the new momAgenda! Stop in and pick up yours. Also, momAgenda has released a new wall calendar - perfect for those quick glances on the way out the door.

School's Out - Time for a Pool Party

Now that the kids are home, the weather is warming up and everyone is B-O-R-E-D - why not have a super fun pool party. Invite your friends, your kids' friends, the neighbors or anyone else - who can resist! Come see us for some great invites, hostess gifts and party ideas.

Green is the New Black

Seriously - yes! And we have a store full of great items that will make you feel like you are contributing or I guess not contributing - depends on how you see it. We sell and can special order for you the fabulous lamps featured in the HGTV Green Home - all made from recycled paper, glass and metal. You have to see these! Your house, your environment and your favorite stationery store will thank you!

P.S. Don't forget the Heather Moore trunk show is only 12 days away! This is a great opportunity to get those graduation gifts, mother's day gifts, etc.

When Will It Be Spring

I don't think we can wait any longer ... neither should you. We have a store full of great spring invitations, stationery, desk accessories, wrapping paper, etc.

Don't forget to come in and check out our Easter and Graduation invitations.

See you soon!