Your Custom Text Here
We're not quite sure what it is about this shoe {maybe it's the name} but todays pick - The Chrisette - was a no brainer. Brought to you by the lovely Kate Spade, this cobalt stiletto will be a killer addition to any evening dress.
*Photo courtesy of KateSpade.com
Bet you didn’t know that the very words you are reading mark our 100th post! This calls for a celebration!
These last few months have blown us away. We are so humbled and honored to have a faithful following - those of you who share our love for paper, design, events and etiquette, well, we “speak the same language”. ;) In honor of our own little celebration in blog world, we'd like to offer a 15% discount on all holiday cards! Be sure to email this promo code with your order: happy100. Offer ends Friday, 12.03.10.
Please share with us some of your favorite posts and {most importantly!} what you'd like to see more of. Don't be shy ~ we blog for you! For those of you that do leave us your comments, we will draw a name at random tomorrow 10am EST and send you a little something. Happy 100 from us to you!
For our aspiring Betty Crockers, get your kitchen ready because we have passed on the tutorial for this gorgeous cake.
*Photo courtesy of Ruffled
The lovely Jacin from She Said Yes {one of our blog-friends} asked us to guest blog for her Fall Inspiration series. The entire series has been fantastic so far- she covers all bases from decor to favors to festive drinks and fall cakes. Check it out, even if you're not planning an Autumn wedding... you'll find fun, unique ideas that might lend an excuse to host an impromptu party!
Paper Moss decided to share some ideas to gracefully side - step the stereotypical fall wedding invitation. There are countless ways to create a seasonally appropriate motif without being confined to a fall color palate or standard fall designs {pumpkins, leaves or scarecrows}. Tracy and Kevin's invitation suite is just one of our examples that we share for our part in the Fall Inspiration series.
See the rest and learn how we arrived at each of the final designs. For the full effect, check out our guest post. Thanks She Said Yes, for letting us share our love for paper and design. Blog to you soon! {hahahah, bad joke?}
*Photos courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography
Wishing you a warm & cozy Thanksgiving Holiday. We are truly thankful for all of our friends, family & clients. Thanks for all your support. Safe travels!
*Photo courtesy of Country Home
If you've been following Pearls for Paper for awhile, you may remember a post about Chris and Alison's Vintage Collegiate wedding. If not... it's time to catch up! Words fail to describe how thrilled we were to find out that Martha Stewart also thought this wedding was just extraordinary. You'll have to check out the feature your self on Martha Stewart Weddings! Be sure and click through all the wedding gallery goodness, too. It's worth it... we promise.
Their invite suite:
Prelude to the gorgeous ceremony and reception:
Still. Giddy. AHHHHH! All the details are on Martha's website. Leave Ali & Chris some love below.
*Invite suite photo: Laura Ashbrook Photography
*Photo collage: Kate Headley Photography
We recently met with a bride who is planning a colorful and elegant waterside wedding in Newport, RI ~ complete with the perfect pop of red. What better way to do that through red shoes! Happy Tuesday {red} Shoesday y'all. Here are some of our faves... let us know yours!
Listed from top left, clockwise.
Jimmy Choo, Bloch, Kate Spade, Nina, Valentino, Pour La Victoire
*Photos courtesy of corresponding websites
Happy Monday everyone! As you know, we are all about customization, but even we couldn't have predicted that the day would come when you could customize chocolate bars! When we found out about Chocomize, it was an overwhelming joy, to say the least. Here's how it works:
1. Select the chocolate: White, Milk or Dark
2. Choose the ingredients: candy, spices, nuts, fruit or seasonal sprinkles - up to 5! There are so many fun options to choose from, it was hard to even pick these to show you! {And believe it or not, Strawberry Gushers was one of the options...!}
3. Name your chocolate bar and check out! It's mailed to you in a cute festive box, surrounded by cold packs just to make sure it's as perfect as you intended for it to be.
What a fun idea for special stocking stuffers, hostess gifts or even wedding favors! Chocomize can help you add an edible image {even a monogram or custom logo!} and they even give a wedding discount.
Oh how we love custom work! Especially this kind. Be sure and share with us your ideal chocolate bar below!
*Photos courtesy of Chocomize
For some people, like our friends at Totally Tabletops {in Seattle, WA}, setting the table is an art. When the holidays roll around, it's easy to focus on perfecting the timing of the cooking, getting the sweet potatoes just right, seasoning that stuffing to perfection and all the other good stuff, but we must not forget about the table! While the holiday is focused around giving thanks, football, food & guests, adding a special touch to the table can add a spark of extravagance. First and foremost, make sure you're setting the table correctly and THEN... be inspired to try your hands at this art form!
{via Totally Tabletops}
{via Christiane Lemieux of Dwell Studio}
{via Martha Stewart}
If you're looking for centerpiece ideas, here are some simple ways that you can spice up candles.
{via BHG & Good Housekeeping}
{via Napa Style}
Have fun decorating that table! Happy hosting, folks.
Todays pick is a Badgley Mischka {one of our favs} Platinum Label Kate Chain Convertible Tote. Perfect for both fall & winter, this purse is sure to be a tempting addition for your holiday wish list. Badgley, you had us at hello.
Get your own from Saks!
*Photos courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue. AKA our second home.
Wedding cake toppers. When we used to think of cake toppers, it was not a positive thing. The reason being that we had a very limited awareness of the possibilities of this... art medium. Until this creation popped on the screen while doing some Etsy surfing:
{Concarta on Etsy}
This topper was so impressive that after staring at it for weeks, we decided that it might be worth peeking around at some other creations. So, here are some favorites:
{Bragging Bags on Etsy}
{Milk Tea on Etsy}
For the love birds out there... {yeah, pun intended}
{Red Light Studio on Etsy}
{Button Eyed Teddy Bear on Etsy}
Thank you, Etsy for showing us that there are such fun, funky and elaborate wedding cake toppers!
I know a lot of us are preparing for winter, but for those of you that get to live in sun year-round (lucky!) or are planning a trip to the sun soon, you don't want to miss out on this shoe! Today's pick is an adorable Tory Burch Stripe Espadrille that comes in 3 fabulous color combos. Don't believe us? Click here to see {and order} for your self.
*Photos courtesy of Nordstrom.com
We're launching into prime party season and hostess gifts are a necessity. Since your time is probably devoted to juggling the already busy holiday schedule of shopping, baking and traveling, we pulled together some unique, funky kitchen and food related ideas for the host.... or perhaps yourself? :)
1. The Savoy Cocktail Book $20
Originally published in 1930 with yummy cocktail recipes {from a celebrity bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London} and fabulous vintage illustrations.
2. Momofuku Cookies $10
You can finally buy treats from the infamous East Village eatery and bakery! Favorites such as Compost Cookies and Crack Pie are so hard to resist.
3. Dish Towels $24
One can never own too many dish towels - especially when they're so pretty AND machine washable!
4. Hors d'oeuvre Jellies $6
Flavors like Cherry-Brandy, Peach-Amaretto, Mimosa and Jalapeño are even peaking our interest... and we generally don't like jellies and jam.
5. Cork Screw $36
A fancy, vintage twist {pun intended} for the wine lover.
6. Bacon Burbon Caramel Corn $34
Sweetness and savory flavors... for a risque combination! Yes please!
We were flooded with positive feedback about the canvas bags that Paper Moss designed for the Shaughnessy- Capalbo wedding and it just so happens that we also love canvas bags too! Take a look at these Alphabet Bags created by a precious British couple. Don't be fooled-their designs don't stop at the letter bags and coin purses {shown here} but they offer cute designs, sayings and posters too.
Okay but really, how could we NOT spell out our namesake? We thought it was appropriate for you to see a variety of the letters they had to offer ;) Now if only the exchange rate would improve...
*Photos provided by Alphabet Bags
If you haven't gotten your fill of Mr. and Mrs. C, today should be the icing on the cake. A while back we shared some of our favorite photos from this gorgeous August wedding, but nothing will do it justice... except maybe this video. Kudos {and beyond} to the lovey & talented Julie from Elysium Productions. You have no idea how obsessed we are with this! Just watch. You won't regret it.
Abby + Andrew: Highlights from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.
Don't miss Mrs. C {from Life in the Superburbs} and her detailed "Wedding Recap"!
If you caught our post on Friday, maybe you were ooo-ing and awe-ing at the art of hand calligraphy right there along with us. If calligraphy isn't in your budget or if it's not your style, there are certainly other options. If you choose to do your own addressing, here is everything you need to know to make it happen, according to Peggy Post from the Emily Post Institute. One Envelope or Two? Traditionally, a wedding invitation is sent in two envelopes, an outer envelope which is addressed and stamped, and an inner envelope—containing the invitation, reception card, reply card and other material such as directions—which bears the names of the people invited. Although it may seem complicated or overly formal, a second envelope is actually very practical because it clarifies exactly who’s invited: other family members, children, and whether or not an invited guest may bring a guest. It’s perfectly acceptable, however, for a couple to omit inner envelopes.
What’s Written on the Envelopes? The outer envelope is addressed with the names and address of the person(s) invited: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. The inner envelope repeats the guests’ last names: Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It’s also fine to informally write the names of close relatives and friends: Grandmother, Aunt Sue, or Jessica and Henry on the inner envelope.
Addressing a married couple: Wedding invitations are always addressed to both members of a married couple, even though the bride and groom may know only one or think that only one will attend.
Addressing an unmarried couple living together: Invitations to an unmarried couple residing at the same place are addressed to Ms. Nancy Fellows and Mr. Scott Dunn.
Addressing a married woman doctor or two married doctors: If the woman uses her husband's name, the address is: Dr. Barbara and Mr. James Werner. If she uses her maiden name: Dr. Barbara Hanson and Mr. James Werner. If her husband is also a doctor and they use his last name, the address is either: The Doctors (or Drs.) Werner, or Drs. Barbara and Robert Werner.
Handwrite envelopes: Wedding invitations are special. Address them in handwriting—the bride’s, groom’s, friend’s, host’s, or a calligrapher’s. No computer-printed labels!
Avoid abbreviations: Street and Avenue are written out, although two-letter state abbreviations are okay (due to US Postal Service preference). A person’s middle name may or may not be used. If it is, write it in full instead of abbreviating; omit it if the name won’t fit on one line. It’s okay to abbreviate Mr.,Mrs., Ms., and Dr. when addressing envelopes.
Inviting guests for guests: Write "and Guest" on the inner envelope right after the invited guest’s name. If no inner envelope is used, the "and Guest" phase is not written on the outer one; instead a note is included in the invitation or a verbal invitation is extended by the couple: "Please bring someone with you."
Inviting children: If children are invited, their names are written on a line below their parents’ names on the inner envelope. If no inner envelope is used, children’s names are written on the outer envelope. Children aged thirteen and over usually receive their own invitations.
Using a return address: A return address is necessary for the US Postal Service. The USPS preferred place is the upper left-hand corner of the envelope, but the back flap is okay, too.
As many of you know, we have recently joined twitter land and are starting to get the hang of things. It has been brought to our attention that Tuesday's have been deemed "Tuesday Shoesday". Yes please! Because of the flurries that occurred yesterday morning, we find it only appropriate to get ready for winter and start the hunt for some stylish boots.{Even though nothing stuck, ah-hem, these boots are a priority, right?!} Alas, Ugg's did not disappoint circa 2008 (yikes), and they certainly won't do it again. Check these babies out. Who doesn't love a shoe that you can wear 2 ways?! Getting ready for winter never looked so good.
Order them here!
*Photo courtesy of Ugg Australia website.
We hope you all had a magical weekend. Whatever you have coming up this week, we hope you feel rested, renewed and ready to OWN IT!
We stumbled across this photo awhile back and have just adored it ever since. So, we share this with you for no reason other than to admire beautiful people in love, give tribute to this perfectly preppy color combination and a shout out to the fabulous photographer for letting us love her work.
Have a lovely start to your week!
*Photo courtesy of Meg Perotti
We hate to brag, but it's true that Paper Moss often receives compliments on the extraordinary calligraphers we work with. We'll just say, there's a reason we search far and wide for the best of the best vendors - they constantly "wow" us too!!! That being said, it shouldn't come as a surprise that one of our beloved calligraphers had the honor of working on Chelsea Clinton's wedding. {We're still jumping up and down over it!} Meet the lovely, Megan Chapin Calligraphy, and enjoy a few photos from 2 of our favorite invite suites that we had the pleasure of working on with her. (It was tough to pick our favorites!) Be sure and visit her website for more!
Name & Profession: Megan Chapin, Calligrapher
Years in profession: Forever...I made my mom teach me how to write my name in cursive when I was 5, but technically I've only been in business for 3 years. Based out of: Little old Uxbridge, MA. I mostly work with brides in the New England area, but I have done weddings for people in many other states including the state of Washington. What's your favorite part about doing calligraphy for an event? My favorite part is working with the bride (and groom). I get caught up in their excitement and joy and can't wait for them to come and see what I've done for them! The reaction that I get is absolutely priceless. I had a mom cry when she saw her daughters envelopes. It really doesn't get better than that. Do you have a favorite style? In calligraphy we have the broad edge pen and the pointed pen - among others. I learned lettering with the broad edge pen starting with the Italic hand and for years was very satisfied with it. But I had always admired the work of the pointed pen so when I got the chance to take classes in 2003 I went for it. I have never looked back. Using the pointed pen is like coming home to me... I feel like I belong with it! How did you get into the business? I've always loved drawing, art in general and lettering. When I was in high school I never thought that I could possibly make a career out of loving letters, so I became a bookkeeper and had two children and just lived my life. However, I was constantly taking calligraphy classes and looking at any book I could about lettering. In 2002 I took a year long class with Reggie Ezell. He taught me more in that one year class than anything I had learned in total about lettering. When I finished that class I realized I could make a career out of doing what I love, and it took me a bit, but I got up the courage to make up business cards and started networking. What do you do to unwind while working on a big project? Ha, I don't! I'm very intense when working on a job and focus completely on it until it’s done. Though I do listen to the television while I work... I guess that must calm me in some way. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An artist. Even though I did other things I never saw myself as anything else. The most inspiring person you know? Maria Thomas. She is an artist and a calligrapher. Her work is AMAZING and she is so grateful for all that she has and for her talent that I often find myself saying "What would Maria do?" I guess that is how you know you admire someone. In high school you ........ ? {fill in the blank} This is kinda funny. I wanted to be a punk rocker! Actually I sort of still do. Do you have any advice for brides? Hmmm...don't wait ‘til the last minute to hire me! Everything I do is done by yours truly and I need plenty of time to insure it’s up to my standards. Last minute jobs are difficult because of that. Another thing: if you have taken the time to get beautiful invitations and had them hand addressed, put some thought into the stamps as well. You're creating a wonderful presentation with the arrival of your package. Make sure that it’s saying what you want it to - using beautiful stamps just finishes that off perfectly. I always say...Invite your guests the way you would want to be invited! ******Photos {Red & Blue Suite} courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography
*Photos {Grey & Sage Suite} courtesy of Public Image Photography
Well it's true... the holidays are fast approaching... AHH! Naturally, we've got stationery on the mind and have been working hard these last few weeks to get a few fun and festive designs together just for you!!! This is our first year offering select "ready-to-order" cards that you can still personalize with your names, message, and even photo. We've chosen our top 4 favorites and showcased below. If the designs included don't suit you, FEAR NOT! We of course love doing custom work {duh} so if you're interested in something completely original {or want to splurge on letter press}, please contact us!
If you'd like to cross something off your list, and send your loved ones a chic, stylish and unique holiday greeting, follow these easy steps:
1. Pick from one of the designs below.
2. Email us {holiday@papermoss.com} with your choice & quantity, along with personalized requests: names, wording, photos, color, etc.
3. We will email you back with detailed info and a proof. Upon your approval we will be off to print!
*All orders are printed on partially recycled heavy cover stock. Colors on screen don't always represent what is printed due to monitor variation. Samples & change of colors are available upon request. Orders take about 1.5-2 weeks to process, print and receive. Rush options are available.
*Photos courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography
Happy Tuesday everyone! We have something to share, and figured it shouldn't have to wait. Simply stated, we tweet now. If you also tweet, you should probably follow us, and then we can follow you. We can be twitter friends! {This is just too much fun...}