New to the Shop: Candles!

This week has brought On Paper a beautiful new array of candles, each one prettier than the last. We couldn't help but proudly display them in the center of the shop; a shrine to the simple joy of twinkling lights and wafting fragrance. Read on to learn more about a few of our favorites!

The clean European elegance of the Grand Hotel de Paris and Le Grand Cafe candles (upper right and lower left, respectively) are beautifully balanced by their worldly-yet-nostalgic fragrances. Hotel de Paris is fresh but sweet, with a scent of Linen Water -- conjuring up images of airy hotel rooms high above the Seine. Le Grand Cafe is slightly more proletarian -- aiming to remind one of "summers spent picking blackberries in the French countryside." Though I can't claim to have done anything of the sort, if I close my eyes and inhale I might be convinced otherwise....

If you're drawn to a more rustic aesthetic, the sweet little tins or knobby jars wrapped with twine are sure to delight. Fragrances range from the sweet and floral (french violet, cherry blossom) to spicy and sultry (white tea ginger, cedar sage). Soy wax blended with essential oils burns clean and light, aided by their unique wooden wicks (only adding to the rustic charm).

Our regulars will recognize the striking silhouettes of Wicked's Negative Space collection, but our enthusiasm is renewed by the arrival of a fourth fragrance, the victrola featured bottom right. The collection is inspired by the psyches and struggles of provocative authors of the past. The four we carry represent (respectively, clockwise from upper left) Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Oscar Wilde and Anais Nin. The melancholy concept alone (and their brilliant packaging) was enough to ensnare us, but the fragrances are truly bewitching. For instance, the Oscar Wilde victrola design that inspired today's fervor is an intoxicating blend of bergamot, warm oak, vanilla and patchouli, with a hint of cedar -- but the depth and complexity is truly indescribable, as though the luminary's essence were contained in the wax.

A word to the wise: if your curiosity is aroused, be sure to stop in! In the time it took me to compile this post, several of these lovely candles have found new homes, and I can only imagine the trend will continue with tomorrow's Gallery Hop. See you soon....

Last Minute Valentine's Day Gifts

Cupid's bow is pulled taut, and tomorrow the arrow flies!

Be sure your sweetheart is lovestruck with these surefire gifts.

FOR THE GENTS

Clockwise from top left: The Italian-made Ogami notebook made from Repap is beautiful, sleek, environmentally-friendly and shows your love is like a rock! The American Bar by Charles Schumann is a fantastic resource for both professional mixologists and amateurs alike. Smell Good Daily Tonic from West Third Brand holds true to its claims - with ultra cool packaging, too! Make him say OH! with this heirloom-quality pewter Ohio State flask.

FOR THE LADIES

Clockwise from top left: Hand her your heart (and her favorite 6 pack) with this hand-painted cast iron bottle opener. Give the gift of inspiration with this luxurious Italian leather journal. A sweet sterling silver necklace will be a reminder that only you hold the key to her heart. The heavenly scent of the Italian Blood Orange Lotion by Mor is only matched by its ability to make even the driest skin soft and sexy.

Tomorrow we'll be open an hour late ('til 7pm!) for all you last minute shoppers. See you soon!

Valentine Gifts for the Home

Since Joan returned from a buying trip last month, the store has been inundated with new goodies. February is always a happy time at On Paper; pretty red hearts are scattered about the shop, and around every corner you'll find some sweet token of love. This month though, we've received an unprecedented influx of fantastic new housewares, and we simply had to share them with you! Whether you've been looking for a little something to freshen your space, or are on the hunt for an artful piece to gift to your Valentine, there's bound to be something that will fit the bill.

Just yesterday we received these sweetly rustic reclaimed wood pieces. The wood is aged and weathered, soft and full of depth and history. Rather like a marriage, come to think of it. Any one of these would be a lovely, romantic gift -- but not so saccharine that you couldn't display it outside the bedroom.

We have just the thing for the craft beer lover in your life -- whimsical bottle openers! The heft of these cast iron trinkets and the antiqued finish make cracking one open extra satisfying.

While we're on the subject of libations, we're enamored with these ingenious bottle stoppers! Fashioned out of antique doorknobs, they have a quirky, romantic appeal while still being incredibly useful. Would make a lovely Valentine's gift with a nice bottle of red!

These clever dishes are too good to resist. They make fantastic gifts for the tea drinkers/waitstaff/foodies/bacon enthusiasts in your life, and I'm pretty sure that covers almost everyone. You're welcome!

Last but certainly not least, the objets d'art below have a bewitching air of nostalgia. Each one is handcrafted, using age-old techniques to painstakingly layer plaster over wood to create a one-of-a-kind piece. They're sturdy enough to sit unsupported on a shelf, but lightweight enough to be hung on the wall. Though we love displaying them clustered together in a whimsical vignette, they would also make a lovely statement standing alone. 

To take a closer peek, find these items and more on our Pinterest page, on the Shop Favorites board.

Show your home a little love and stop by soon to scoop up your favorites!

Personalized Gifts for the Holidays

The holiday countdown has begun... Hanukkah starts a month from today, and Christmas is less than 50 days away! The time is nigh for custom holiday cards, but fret not -- simply upload a photo and personalize online to quickly create the perfect postal greeting for you and yours. 

[Be sure to take advantage of the 15% off deal by November 18th using the code below!]

Cross a few folks off your list with stylish iPhone cases and custom coasters. Rare is the gift that is trendy, useful, and thoughtful all in one -- but with a wide range of personalization options these two offerings pass the test with flying colors. 

Happy shopping!

New to the Shop: Amy Butler Bags

More than any other time of year, summer is when I find myself yearning for a fun new bag. My wardrobe is lighter and brighter, and suddenly the purses I loved all fall and winter seem burdensome and boring. If you're suffering from the same sartorial malaise, I invite you to lay your weary eyes on these beauties. 

Designed by Ohio's own Amy Butler, these organic cotton bags explore a modern palette while invoking a vintage nostalgia through the brassy hardware and large scale floral patterns (created using low-impact dyes). The Nora and Brenda (the oversized coin purse and fold over clutch, respectively) are playful, but structured enough to easily transition to evening. It's the Carried Away bag that's captured my fancy, though... it inspires daydreams of an impromptu weekend getaway, perhaps to the shore... or a day trip to see family in the country... or even packing a just in case bag for a night out with the girls.

Come by the shop to see what summertime fantasies they inspire in you!

New to the Shop: Christina Stankard Jewelry

 

Last week brought some delicate yet stunning new jewelry to the shop. Incorporating pearls, sapphires and chalcedony, Christina Stankard creates bright earrings and luminous necklaces. All pieces are handmade in her Brooklyn studio -- we imagine it must be filled with natural light, to inspire such ethereal pieces. To see a gallery of her work, check out her website. To adorn yourself with these gorgeous pieces, stop by the shop! I think any one of these pieces would be especially lovely as wedding jewelry....

 

 

But I can't promise I won't claim one of these for myself, wedding or no. Hurry in, Columbus brides -- you've been warned! 

New Jewelry in the Shop!

We hope you're as hypnotized and delighted by these pieces as we are! They're as strange, beautiful and exhilarating as this absurd weather we've been having -- and what better way to welcome spring and summer than with bright jewelry that celebrates nature's bounty?

 

Re-package

Just received an order of cards packaged in that rumpled oh so can't wait to open it sort of way. The opposite of polished and Christmas-y but we love the vintage feel of gifts wrapped in our basic Kraft wrap.

Wouldn't tons of these look great under a tree!?

New Luv: Niven Morgan

We're luvin' Niven Morgan- and the Jean Baptiste 1717 Collection. Soap, hand lotion and an aromatic candle are perfectly packaged and couldn't be more suited to our shop. {note: sealing wax loveliness}

Here's what the creator says about this collection:

"A young but sophisticated fragrance, Jean Baptiste 1717 evokes the seductive soul of New Orleans: oak lined boulevards, jasmined air, distant song, sweet times, love lost and found. The scent: Water hyacinth, jasmine and tuberose floating through a sensual aura: wild rose and princess lily with subtle traces of caramel and creamy vanilla, and base notes of rich woods and warm patchouli.

Niven Morgan’s Jean Baptiste 1717 celebrates New Orleans past and present and its founding father, Jean Baptiste le Moyne de Bienville, the aristocrat who established the city in 1717 as the capital of French Louisiana. His original settlement survives to this day as the Vieux Carré, or French Quarter."

Lather up your shopping list and add this as a go to gift this holiday season!

This Just In- What's Black & White and Read All Over???

...our new shipment of inspiring signs!

Tokyo Milk DARK collection. Fragrances, shower gels and body souffles, OH MY!

Michelle's new favorite, Chance. Per chance might you like to stop by and try?

Nouveaux

Just unpacked these tres fabu french influenced accoutrements... Wall mounted shopping reminders and painted candle boxes with tin insets. Tres jolie!

Paper Easter from Pinterest

A few fun DIY projects- paper perfect for crafty Easter decor.

These ideas are all from Pinterest one of the newest inspiration sites take the art & craft community by storm...

Source: flickr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: 100layercake.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: benignobjects.blogspot.com via Brandi on Pinterest

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)