Keeping it Simple

Getting down to the fundamental features, creating original aesthetics with punch and pizzazz is always striking. I found the image of the pears via Sweet Paul who I admire for his originality and eye for style, and fell for the simplicity and the unique presentation. The colors pop and leave you looking for more sweet touches. I love the whimsy inclusion of the vintage leaves and the combination of deep red and this funky blue.

Continuing the color palette, I found this great handmade ornament on etsy by skychica, an internationally recognized glass artisan. All of these elements compliment the simple and elegant holiday greeting, echoing sophistication and originality. The red foil elements glow on the paper and your text is eloquently printed.


{Beautiful red pears with vintage velvet leaves via Sweet Paul; Sussical Holiday Ornament by skychica via etsy; Crimson Mistletoe from Checkerboard via eInvite}

2009 Calendars

2009 is quickly approaching and for a paper-lover like me, you know what that means—a new calendar! I can’t seem to narrow down my favorites, so I may just have to get them all…


{L to R from the top: egg press, Orange Beautiful, Linda & Harriett, SusyJack*}

The ART of baking!

Inspired by beautiful composition on these wedding cakes…… sleek design, the unexpected bloom and great proportions make them a true treat for the eyes!
I bet it tastes pretty amazing too!

{april reed cake design}
{cakegirls}
{the etiquette of chocolate}

Express yourself

Holiday decor can also express your personal style and give a feeling of holiday warmth and sparkle. Look at the clothes you buy, the music you listen to, the magazines you read. Examine what you use to express yourself in your everyday life and build on your personality to let your style shine. It may take a little confidence and some effort, but well worth it. When you sit back in front of the fire with your mulled wine, you can admire your holiday home with a whole new spirit.


Gift giving at eInvite can also express personal style with a little panache for the style savvy.

{images: holiday wreath from McQueens via Livingetc magazine, Gold Murano Glass Pen Set via eInvite, Black Stationery Portfolio via eInvite, K82 Silver/Black Ballpoint Pelikan pen in a metal giftbox via eInvite}

Alice in (Winter) Wonderland

Add a little yellow to the usual green and a take a little away from the regular red and you'll have a spectrum of hues like magenta, blush, chartreuse and moss to bring some whimsy to your holiday home. Bring in some forest friends, experiment with pattern, light and scale. There's definitely some magic to be found in these psychedelic seasonals.

Featuring (clockwise form top left):
Inchworm Ornament from Anthropologie
Orquidea Cup & Saucer from Anthropologie
Pink & Green Holiday Photo Card from eInvite
Lumen Oil Lamp Shadow Projector from Uncommon Goods
Snowflake Tree Skirt from Pottery Barn

Red All Over

There are so many great choices this year for holiday cards, I am going to have a hard time deciding which to order. One thing is for certain—it’s going to be red! Here are a few of my favorites…

{L to R from top: Be Joyful by Crane & Co.; Dove of Peace by eInvite.com; Engraved Calligraphic Ornament by William Arthur; Selfless Santa by Carlson Craft; Harbinger by Checkerboard, Ltd.; Spray of White Berries by take note! Designs}

be BOLD this Season!

I am inspired by the cool fusion of a traditional color palette and bold modern design this holiday season. These beautiful, fearless designs make for some really fun holiday decor and shopping!



{burst rug from CB2.com}
{bird pillow from moderndose.com}
{flower arrangement form ovandony.com}
{red greeting by Checkerboard from eInvite.com}
{red pillow from lekkerhome.com}

Go Dutch!

Colorful designs, motifs and symbols reflective of traditional folk art are abundant as of late, on everything ranging from paper goods to home décor, fashion and beyond. Especially popular, are motifs reminiscent of “Pennsylvania Dutch” folk art, such as rosettes, tulips, hearts, doves and goldfinches.

In the 18th century, decorating everyday items with colorful designs was a common practice for the Pennsylvania Dutch. Everything from furniture, to clocks, to birth certificates were decorated with symbols that settlers had first been acquainted with in Europe. Over time, these motifs came to represent Pennsylvania Dutch ideology. They were often used as visual prayers that would protect the home and farm, bring good fortune, abundance and prosperity, or invite guests to be welcome.

Below, are some recurring motifs that I’ve been seeing everywhere this season. For fun, I’ve written a brief description of the Pennsylvania Dutch symbolism for each. So, that the next time you need to buy a house warming gift, order wedding favors, or decorate your home…you’ll be inspired to go Dutch!


• The goldfinch is the good luck bird of the early Pennsylvania Dutch. When shown alone it represents good luck and happiness. When two birds are shown together they symbolize a double measure of good fortune.

• The rosette offers good luck as well.

• Tulips represent faith and trust and when shown in a set of three, represent faith, hope, and charity.

• A heart ensures love and romance.

• A dove symbolizes peace and contentment.

• The eight-pointed star offers abundance.

• Scalloped borders represent smooth sailing.

• The Tree of Life symbolizes a happy life and joyful memories for all.


{Images from left to right: Fleet Red Organic Teatowel from Mibo; Cherry Picking screenprint by Ruth Green; Chicken Stock screenprint on wood panel also from Mibo; Wild Pods Mug by Fiona Howard; Dutch Woodcut Floral Gift Wrap from Papersource; New Wave Acapulco Dinner Plate from Villeroy & Boch; Ceylon Personalized stationery by Checkerboard; Tulip Wallpaper by ISAK; Cockerell two color vinylprint by Sarah Young; 100% Recycled Giftwrap from Rosehip Cards}

A little tribute to...Ol' Louie

If you are in the greeting card biz you certainly know who Louis Prang is. He is esteemed as the father of the American holiday greeting card. Immigrating from Breslau in a time of political strife, he came to the US in 1856 and lived in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Within ten years, he had mastered lithography and was printing entire lines of elaborate holiday cards. His work promoted the printing industry to what it is today and the "Prang" name can be recognized with art materials still found in stores. We can also thank him for being instrumental in developing art education and printing the first instructional textbooks.

Now for those of you outside the stationery industry, you may have never heard of ol' Louie. He is quite well know to us paper people. In fact, every year in May at the National Stationery Show in New York City, stationery companies get all decked out for the "Academy Awards" of the paper industry, "The Louie Awards". The award bearing his name is given for creative excellence in the industry. Behind every card, invitation, thank you note or announcement is a idea, designers, production teams and photographers. Creating paper greetings is an art, as fashion for your self expressions.

Fresh ideas, amazing design and new techniques of the highest standards manufactured today would make Louis Prang one proud printer. He may have started this American tradition, but today it is preserved, every single time you put a card in the mail.

{Images: Photo of Louis Prang from The National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian Graphic Arts Collection; Prang Christmas Card via Greeting Card Association; Flocked Party Reindeer by Meri Meri for eInvite.}

Fashion, in Life and in Art

If you were following Balenciaga this past spring, you probably noticed the house's FW08 take on the "little black dress." The ready to wear collection might not be in your closet now, but the fusion of classic, rustic, and modern is most certainly in season.

Chanel's "LBD" was a philosophical change. She moved color and cut from mourning to celebration: not just of life, but of taste. Ghesquière's take was yet another step forward, paying homage to history while adding a regional feel and looking to the future. I love this sort of fusion, when tradition and modernity clash, resulting in something beautiful and new.

A new fusion has occurred lately, combining economic uncertainty with the demands of the holiday season. Surrounded by these troubles, what better way to bring together the best of humanity, than a gathering that is relaxed and refined, not bacchanalian or epicurean? Celebrate good friends, good taste, and perhaps even start a new tradition or two. Invite your guests in a way they wouldn't expect. Not by Facebook or Twitter, but with something that will sit on the table and mull like hot cider, gathering excitement and gathering joy. Maybe we can't afford Ghesquière's little black dress this year. But we can celebrate tradition with tradition, friendship with friends, and craftsmanship with craft.

Of course, working here makes me biased, but there are more parallels between clothing and stationery than you might first think. When I started to become familiar with stationery, I didn't realize the depth of craft and research that designers put into their work. So, if you respect presentation in all matters of life, and want to bring together your loved ones for an event that brings together those rustic, traditional, and classical elements , consider using an invitation. They last much longer... and mean much more... than a few lines of text on a computer screen or phone.


Runway Photo Credit: Style.com, Marcio Madeira

Chocolate Cupcakes and Babies

Will chocolate brown ever stop being the always-appropriate accent color? I hope not. It reminds me of slowing down and getting the kitchen all nice and warm while the trees are bare and icy. Here's a collection of cuteness to melt your heart this Tuesday.


The cupcakes are the work of Emilie Hardman of The Conscious Kitchen, a genius and vegan treat-maker in Somerville, MA with an amazing blog. The top right one is described by Emilie as follows: "Cross Cultural, the unbeatable spicy Dagoba Xocolatl cupcake with a Vietnamese cinnamon chocolate mousse," and on the bottom left a "chocolate hazelnut cupcake topped with hazelnut vanilla buttercreme dyed an unlikely blue." Yes please.

The gorgeous chocolate and blue holiday photo cards from einvite.com are super-affordable right now - it's the last day for the 40% off sale - $59.39 for 100. Yummmm. **Update: Sale extended through Dec. 15!!**

Serenity

I received the new West Elm catalog in the mail last week and was immediately struck by the wonderful color palette of their new collection. In particular, these two pillow shots caught my eye. I love the muted, serene colors.

{images from West Elm}