Greetings of the Season

Graphic Gifts!

I love the Colorways: Graphic Design article featured in the January 09 issue of Metropolitan home magazine. I appreciate the strong design statement these bold black and whites make. I was so excited when Emily gave me this cool black and white hand painted bowl for the holidays! I show a similar one in the image below. Designed and painted by artist Theresita. I saw Emily reading the same article a couple days ago.... love it when cool things inspire beautiful holiday presents!

From left to right:
{vita envelope liner on eInvite.com}
{3 images from colorways: graphic design article on pointclickhome.com}
{hand painted bowl by Theresita design}

Don't Break the Bank

1. Think outside the box:

Take it easy on the withdrawals and use that creative mind. The day after your wedding, you can look at your statement with pride. Think of your options and escape the ideals of conformity. You can save money and create sentiment simultaneously by using personal inspiration. Your mother's dress, your summer home, your grandmother's china are all parts of your history and perfect for creating nostalgic impressions. A family home can be used for your wedding, saving you thousands and making it a very intimate gathering. If you do go over budget, you can replenish your bank account but...

2. Dresses:

The bridesmaids are another thing. {It's the dress issue.} Do wrong by them and the forgiveness comes only after enough time heals the wounds...if you are lucky. {wink} Do yourself a favor and hook them, wrap them and style them pretty with dresses from Butter by Nadia for under $300. They are convertible numbers with some pretty creative options that even the celebs are loving. One dress, to fit any body type and style. The dresses have two prices for 2 lengths and many color options. You can purchase on the web at benny and shaw.com or visit NYC for an appointment at two birds.com. When you look at the price, should also consider the fact that they will LOVE them and actually wear them again. Pictured in the collage is a bridal option, free flowing and so inexpensive.

3. Creativity:

Ring: Etsy has the most unbelievable selections of jewelry for all tastes and price ranges. This Moissanite, Recycled 14k Gold, and Recycled Sterling Silver Wedding Ring, is made to order and for only $876 from McFarland Designs. The moissanite, "diamonds from space" originate from meteorites, so they are ultra pc and perfect for the conscious bride. Saving you thousands, leaving a sweet downpayment for a house that you can actually live in!

Flowers: My favorite florist, Cathy from Sprout has some great options for creating amazing centerpieces, simplistically and creatively. Showcase one element to create a fantastic presentation. It's all in the presentation. You can use whatever florals suit you and minimize cost by getting creative. Sprout is not short on that. So a good florist should be willing to think outside the box.

Invitations: Romance by eInvite is priced under $100 for 100 invitations. Visit our site and see just how many you have many to choose from in that price range. This line was created to offer great design at a great price. You'll want to send out invitations for Friday night cocktails, so maybe you should just stick to the wedding section!

{ images: dresses via twobirds.com, ring via etsy, flowers via sprout-flowers.com, invitation via eInvite.com, gown via bennyandshaw.com }

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

Playing with paper is one of my favorite things so I like to make gift-wrapping fun and creative. Here are some easy ways to dress up a simple present.

1. Natural elements: A few small pinecones or evergreen sprigs can be attached to a ribbon or a raffia bow with floral wire for a homey, rustic appeal.
2. Ornament tag: Attaching an interesting ornament to the outside of a gift is exciting for the recipient and can be the little something extra that makes a package memorable...even if there are socks inside.
3. Heartfelt and handwritten: Instead of the "to: mom, from: me" label, how about a handwritten note on a folding notecard?
4. Forgo the disposables: A reusable and functional container with a ribbon around it is a great choice and doubles as wrapping. For example, a large wine bucket with wine and cheese inside, or a wire basket with cookie cutters and an apron.

Happy holidays, and have fun giving!

As a designer, I am constantly on the lookout for interesting script fonts. Veer is a great source for fabulous new fonts. These two, released this fall, caught my eye.

{L to R: Montague Script and Compendium}

Typography Philosophy!

All of this winter weather has got me down. I was in Phoenix to study color science last week (to ensure that eInvite's printing continues to be exceptional) and I returned to a week of storms here in New England. As I write, the snow is flying outside my home office. The weather has been so unforgiving that the President declared parts of Massachusetts to be disaster areas!

The unpleasant season has given me the chance to get back into my design and art textbooks. In my opinion, much of the art of inviting is focused on four things: the graphic design of the card, the construction techniques, the layout of the type, and the typeface itself. Lately I've been thinking about type and had an interesting discussion with Emily about it.

Two of the many philosophies in typography are "modernism" and "post-modernism." Unlike the art movement of the same name, post-modernist typographers aren't "weird for the sake of being weird" but rather, have drifted away from the modernist belief that type should be completely transparent.

What does that mean, exactly? Well, one way of thinking about it is the difference between a lightbulb and a chandelier. Light bulbs illuminate a room, but we generally don't pay them any thought. It's the light we're interested in. On the other hand, a chandelier gives off light, but also is meant to be looked at, and has aesthetic qualities that change the whole feeling of the room.

Type is similar! Modernist (lightbulb) thinking gave way to the development of typefaces like Arial and Helvetica, whose purpose was to be completely neutral, and to render no particular atmosphere to the writing. In theory, a person who read something written in Helvetica would pay attention only to what the words said, rather than how the words looked.

Post-modernists said, "Hey, you know what? You can't ever get RID of how type looks, it always creates atmosphere. Let's embrace that." Naturally, most of the people at eInvite are post-modernists, because we're concerned about the emotion and feeling that a piece of stationery conveys. On the other hand, I am a (recovering) modernist.

I am coming around to post-modernist thought in type design, though! It's somewhat difficult to explain how to recognize the difference between a modern type and a post-modern type. One way to do it is purely on emotional instinct: does the type feel faceless, meaningless? Then it's probably modern. Does the type seem to contribute to the atmosphere of the design? Well, it's probably NOT modern.

Think about driving down the highway: the roadsigns are all Helvetica (or something thereabouts). They're meant, in theory, to only give directional information, and not to convey any feeling about the sign itself (or the place to which you're being directed). Now think about the sign at your spa, or stylist. I would bet that they have some sort of really interesting type that conveys feelings of luxury or relaxation. So here's an example of type used to create a luxuriant atmosphere:

Warm Wishes

The recent ice storm and this COLD weather… all makes me think of how wonderful it can be to share something warm and cozy with your friends and family! A cup of hot cocoa and some delicious warm brownies.

Celebrate this season by baking some gooey mint chocolate goodness as seen on Martha Stewart and sending these warm cocoa wishes by Checkerboard on eInvite.com.

Networking with style

Invest in yourself, spread your wings, open your mind and work your web of contacts. These days networking and personal connections are huge. Consumers, employers and job candidates are wiser and savvier than ever. Relationships make a big difference in getting ahead in the world or even getting your child in the elite preschool when others are waitlisted. It's all in who you know. These days this old adage takes on alot more meaning. Viral networking on the web is gaining so much ground, not just the kids are using Facebook and Myspace. Linkedin says 30 million people are professionally networking through their site. Personal branding is a must.

I say, do it personally and with style. eInvite is now offering calling cards by Checkerboard with ultimate personal style, featuring handlettering by world renowned calligrapher, Maria Thomas. So, whether you are meeting mamas in the park and planning a playdate, or you are launching a new company, refresh your personal brand with a touch of originality. You are sure to get noticed.

Shimmer, Shake and Celebrate!

What better way to bring in the New Year than with a touch of gold. Symbolizing wealth and prosperity, a shimmer of yellow gold, honey, or bronze can set a positive tone to any New Year celebration. Whether it be an intimate gathering at home, or an extravagant gala atop a high rise, here are a few touches to make the evening sparkle!


From L to R:
Sparkling Setting, Martha Stewart
27 pc. Dark Chocolate Gift Box, Godiva
BR Monogram ombre T-shirt dress, Banana Republic
Linea Paolo 'Glamorous' Sandal, Nordstrom
Golden Fêtes, Moët & Chandon
Sequined Carolyn Jacket, J.Crew
Contemporary New Year's Eve Centerpiece by epicurious.com
Bubble elastic bracelet, Banana Republic
Sparkling Spirits Invitation, Checkerboard Inc. available at eInvite.com
Aldridge three-button suit, J.Crew Weddings & Parties

Destination: Somewhere Sunny

Perhaps it's the horrendous ice storm that clamored our region and left lots of central Massachusetts still without power, but I'm dreaming of tropical getaways today. My soon to be sister-in-law had a lovely destination wedding in the Bahamas five years ago that was an amazing way to gather everyone in celebration. It was all about salty hair, warm sand, fruity drinks, and intimate gatherings around a beachfront bonfire. Doesn't sound so bad right about now...


eInvite has some of the most fun destination wedding invitations and save-the-dates available. Enjoy! (clockwise from top left) Jet Set, Hibiscus, Fuchsia Festivities, Airplane, Play Tag, Passport, Boarding Pass, Par Avion.

And good luck to all those in the Northeast still struggling with the aftermath of the ice storm! Thinking of you all...

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*}