Write On: 2010

12.29.2010

Ring Out the Old - Ring in the New

The clock is ticking... have made your resolutions yet? (Jotted them down in a lovely journal perhaps!?) It's a great time to make a fresh start- put the past in the past and welcome the future with open arms and hearts.

Here's to a shining new year-
May 2011 bring you all the best!

Photo via senseoncents.com

12.27.2010

Quote of the Week

12.20.2010

Quote of the Week

12.13.2010

Quote of the Week

12.07.2010

12 Faves for the 12 Days

Need some gift inspiration? Here are 12 of our favorite things for the twelve days of Christmas and the final days of Hanukkah...

1. A perennial favorite - we've carried these luxurious leather travel journals for 14 years. SHOP them on our website here.

2. Everyone who tries this hand cream has a hard time resisting it's enriching, lightly scented powdery touch. Sooth away dry winter hands with this bestselling cream from Lollia.

3. Nothing says Christmas like Dickens. The Library Series from Paddywax pays homage to great writers this season. Don't be a scrooge- splurge on this (well priced) diffuser that will add fragrance to your room for months to come.

4. Kate Spade's "Snail Mail" note cards will deliver a smile to anyone's mailbox!

5. These delicate earrings are delicate on the wallet- for $32 you can't go wrong!

6. Melt away the winter chill with this heavenly Bellagio sipping chocolate.

7. As tasty as they are beautiful- these shortbread cookies from Queen City Cookies reign from Cincinnati and make the perfect hostess gift.

8. The On Paper photo frame collection adds the perfect backdrop to cherished Kodak moments. If you wonder where your digital photos will be in 12 years- print a few and frame them in one of our lovely frames. Makes a perfect gift for that relative or friends who seems to have everything.

9. For the creative letter writer on your list. Fun and friendly mix 'n match stationery & stickers.

10. This envelope embosser doubles as a paper weight and looks as fancy as it is functional.
Buy it online here.

11. Birth stone charms look great as a solitaire pendant, or, or combined with other charms- think stacking rings for the neck. These new arrivals from local jeweler Belle Street are just a hint at their fabulous baubles, now in store.

12. A is for alphabet and simple delicate letters have been all the rage. These mini sterling charms are cast from wax seals and look great stacked with other charms-
(hint: see #11)

12.06.2010

Quote of the Week

11.29.2010

Quote of the Week

11.23.2010

At Table: Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Photo: Martha Stewart

It's Thanksgiving week and we love this time of year! Amidst the hustle and bustle of cooking, cleaning and all around guest prep frenzy- we thought we'd share a few inspired touches to help make you make your Thanksgiving table as lovely as can be- with simplicity and style. Delicious!!

Photo: Delish.com

Love the plates and julep cup o' feathers- especially combined with the brown and white "lighter" touches- especially great in a southern or warmer climate. It's easier than you think to create menus and a great way to recognize the hard work and talents in the kitchen! Use rubber stamps, a touch of string or ribbon, and layered papers (recycled Green Paper Company Goldenseal, Cottonwood and Chestnut would be ideal here)

Photos: Martha Stewart

Make guests feel especially welcome by creating individual place cards. It's easy (really!) and we even have pre-cut place cards in an array of autumn colors in the shop.

Photo: Weekend Host

What a better opportunity than Thanksgiving to share your thoughts with your loved ones- What are you grateful for? Have each guest pen a few words and start an annual tradition - a collection of gratitude notes that you can keep in a keepsake box. There is no better time than now to start creating a family heirloom!

Photo: Heather S Thompson

Photo: Delish.com

This is a really cute way to display notes of gratitude, and even family recipes. You can clip them to ribbon strung over your fireplace mantle or on branches placed in a vase. We love the idea of creating a family tradition that is a brief activity each guest can anticipate and look forward to each year. It would be wonderful to have family recipes written in the chefs handwriting to savour and be remembered for generations to come.

If you have a tradition that you love, please post a comment- we'd love to hear your inspirations!

Photo: Ada and Darcy

Simple center pieces: create clusters of individual vintage glassware or vases- mixed patterns add to the casual elegance.

Photo: A Creative Mint

We especially love the simplicity of wrapping a section of the vase in a lovely lace or translucent paper!

Photo: Martha Stewart

We could go on and on with more ideas, (especially all these cute and clever paper inspired pix), but alas... we are retailers after all and it is Thanksgiving week... the beginning of our most wonderful season of all! Stay tuned for Holiday ideas and enjoy the calm before the storm: Thanksgiving!!

11.22.2010

Quote of the Week

11.19.2010

Shop Local this Holiday Season!!

Two great efforts of late to support small businesses across the country from Independent We Stand and The 3/50 Project.

The 3/50 Project recently signed on American Express as a sponsor, adding much needed financial support, and has built two great new campaigns:

"Small Business Saturday"
and
"Big Things come from Small Boxes"

Both, preach the good word of shopping local this holiday season. Take a moment to check out these sites and to sign up and make your mark. Most of all- just say to no to the lure of 4 A.M. sales at the big boxes and harness your hard earned dollars into your local community. You may wind up with a bit less in your stocking this year- but a whole lot more down the road, when this Spring, your local brick and mortar shop is still standing.

A BIG small business thank you to Cinda Baxter (3/50 Project) and Independent We Stand for their outstanding efforts to send business our way this season and all year long!

All logos are registered trademarks of their organizations.

11.15.2010

Quote of the Week

11.09.2010

Erin and Andy's Wedding

Every season there is one truly fabulous wedding- and this year it was Erin and Andy's. The wedding was at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, and every detail was designed to perfection. We just received photos, courtesy of their wedding planner NK Productions and thought we'd share a first glimpse.