Without an ounce of a sommelier’s wisdom, I’m having a mini-wine tasting tonight. Which in reality, is a glorified name for an evening with girlfriends and an excuse for bottle of wine each.
In hindsight, I wish I’d ordered these tags from Papermash, that are so sweetly tongue in cheek and perfect for someone like myself, who orders riesling with steak and finds this completely unoffensive.
To my parents, who can celebrate today that many years after beginning their adventure, they are still as, if not more so, adoring and admiring of each other.
Thank you for setting a high standard.
Love, love.
P.S. More sweet notes like these, on sale at Linda & Harriet
‘Tis the hallmark holiday season. Sarcasm aside, these images from Irene Suchoki make such sweet Valentines day (or every day) cards. Find this lovely photo at her Etsy shop. Sorry hallmark.
With the craze surrounding the kindle this holiday season, and the hype around the tablet, I’m a little sad about the notion of future generations never having quite the same appreciation for dog marked pages, coffee spills and yellowed paper, and the beauty of an ever expanding bookshelf.
The greatest nostalgia is for the start of summers as a school girl, accepting the local library reading challenge and dawdling around the old building on a scavenger hunt for books on the recommended reading list.
This cardstock creation from Anthropologie is meant for saps like me. The cover is a sweet reminder of the inside of library books. And the lined pages, pockets and sporadic images of polaroids and postage stamps inside, invite you to store sentimental scribbles.
Testament to very thoughtful friends, I’ve stored and saved countless cards that are immediate reminders of inside jokes or fond memories.
I love this foldable gem from Sycamore Street Press, that is reminiscent of a beloved childish pastime. Pigtails in hair, we would craft these with lined notebook paper and feverishly scribble numbers for our friends to choose to unlock fortunes that we penned.
Instead of the traditional card, I’m considering this letterpress printed version of an oldie but goodie for my oldest of friends.
(via A Cup of Jo)
Even before Sex and The City (the movie), when Carrie waited in Vivienne Westwood wedding wear on the dramatic steps of the New York Public Library, I always found romance in the notion of nuptials surrounded by fairy tales and classics.
So I fell in love with this literary affair announcement from Greenwich Letterpress.
(via A Cup of Jo )
I’ve often claimed September to be my favorite month. It will always be accompanied by memories of elementary school eagerness for what was in store — a new teacher, a clean desk or classmates who may turn into best friends. It came with the promise of fresh starts and blank slates.
As the warmth of the fall fades and the trees become barren instead of brilliant, the new year brings similar opportunity. I’ve never been one to make strong resolutions on January first, nor can I claim to have stuck to those that I did, but just like a blank school planner at the start of a new grade, I find similar joys in the symbols of new beginnings now.
Desktop calendars, though a small addition to a desk carry significant meaning for me for days to come. Its a simple way to have something to look forward to throughout the year; turning pages with playful images for each month. In years past, I’ve gravitated toward Linda & Harriet for their month to month letterpress surprises.
This year, I’m eyeing Bella Foster’s cheerful and colorful designs for Kate Spade’s 2010 calendar.
And because, I’m far too sentimental for my own good, I often save these with hopes that scribbles of dates or events may illicit a memory or two years later. As luck my have it, I was rummaging through my parent’s basement last week and found an 11th grade assignment book chock full of scribbled notes to friends and doodles of daydreaming. Just in time for the holiday tomorrow and hometown festivities tonight, where I’ll be able to share my revisited memories with my friends from home.
When I started my first blog (Simply’s predesseccor – My Cuppa’ Tea- now, extinct) in 2007, it was not only to entertain my journalistic fantasy but to leverage the social web for its true purpose and namesake. Though My Cuppa’ Tea eventually fizzled, I still maintained my eagerness to meet other design and style obsessed and food and travel enthusiasts and did so quite succesfully through other digital means, Yelp and Twitter — not to mention, the real world.
I decided this year to re-start the blogging adventure with the same hope as before. Last night marked my first opportunity since starting Simply to meet other Bostonian bloggers in person.
Red Plum, a savings and deals site that spans home, beauty and gourmet, used the square shaped 4th floor of the Liberty Hotel to lead Boston based lifestyle writers around a line up of affordable holiday gift and decorating inspiration.
We started the evening on a sweet and bubbly note with a sommelier led tasting with Andover-based Wine Connextion. Tablescapes came next and Ikea alleviated my typical disdain for Sandra Lee-esque table tops with a festive decor that was simple and tasteful. My favorite of which was their use of woven ratatan placemats, earthy ceramics topped with a starkly contrasting white faux Lily, tied together with a handwritten tag to make this arrangement welcoming and elegant.
The rest of the setup showcased stationary, scents and other stylish goodies for gifting. Among those that caught my eye, was the 2009 collection of notecards from my long-time favorite in letterpress design, Linda & Harriet.
While noshing on mushrooms swathed in puff pastry, salted lamb and brie doused in lavender chutney (did I mention the bubbly?), we talked blogging, social media, fabric, brunch spots and must-reads. Lots of thanks to Red Plum and Starving Artist, The Clean Plate Club, Petey Pumpkin and Annelise Normand for the conversation and celebration of the things we love.
A girl just needs her mother – to listen, provide perspective and offer reassurance that tomorrow is a new day. Thank you, Mama: a note (from Sycamore Street Press) to serve double duty, appreciation and a giggle.
image credit: sycamore street press
