Posted in partys & events on May 29, 2009 | 4 Comments »
Today’s “Friday at the shop” post is actually all about next Friday. Is that cheating? Really, I don’t think it is because today we are starting to get ready for our next event!
Here is the deal. It is our first party of the summer and we are going to celebrate by hanging out, eating summer [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I wanted to take a break from my NSS show posting and talk about how much I have been gravitating towards the color green lately. The balloon image is a new release card from regional assembly of text that I have been enjoying on my desktop for weeks. The invitation is from the Thoughtful Day [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 28, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Good morning friends. Here is some more coverage from the NSS…
Girl of All work is always a favorite booth to go into. (The telegram notepads stole my heart).
TapeSwell will definitely be a fun addition to the shop. The projects are already brewing in my head.
Sycamore Street Press! I have had my eye on this line for a while and am loving their antique framed gift tags
Posted in Uncategorized on May 27, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I took like 2 million pictures at the NSS (national stationery show) so as you can imagine it has taken me some time to sort through them all. It was great to see some amazing new design from people I currently work with and I was excited to discover new lines as well. Another highlight [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 26, 2009 | 4 Comments »
I’m back!
I will begin my NSS summery later on today, but first wanted to let you know about this…
If any of you live in the L.A area and are interested in blogs (which I know you are because you are reading this) you may just love this event! It will be a night of connecting through creative blogging. A way to meet other like minded peeps and learn more about how a blog can be a good tool for networking, community and business.
There will be a Q&A panel of bloggers for open discussion. The panel includes Johnathan/ Happy Mundane, Megan/ Beach Bungalow8 , Rebecca/Loving Living Small, Richie/Richie Design, … and myself! (hope to meet you there!)
“Join us for an evening of informative conversation, conducted by a panel of established bloggers. The town hall-style event will feature 5 successful design bloggers who have learned the ropes of creating a presence through blogging. Enjoy the evening, meet some creative people, have a glass of wine and learn some of the tools you can use to start your own creative blog”
Space is limited, so RSVP here.
Posted in Uncategorized on May 22, 2009 | 2 Comments »
The NSS (National Stationery Show) in New York was amazing, and I am super excited to highlight some of my findings over the next week. Presently, I am still on the East coast in a spot called “Indy Hall”— a metro work space in Old City Philadelphia set up for people to work satellite when they are away from their office. My sister brought me here in hopes that I could tackle some of my work before I get on the plane tonight to head back to L.A.
As far as what is happening in the shop today- I am not quite sure. It’s 3 hours earlier here and we’re not open yet in CA. What I do know is what will be happening in the shop very soon. This is what I have been working on all week!
These are my folders full of orders coming in over the next few months. Stay tuned for pop colored stationery, royalty inspired desk accessories, unique forms of tape, printed glass candles, hand-screeneed postcard sets and the all forms of design goodness.
Until then have a great weekend.
*A
Posted in Uncategorized on May 15, 2009 | 5 Comments »
I am about to leave for the National Stationery Show in NYC. It happens once a year and it is always a blast. For this “friday at the shop” post I wanted to give you a peek at all of the booth invitations we have been getting over the last 2 weeks. This is what I consider dream mail ! Every day there are a handful of new creative surprises.
I wish I could highlight all of them but I am literally about to leave in like 2 seconds. I will be gone for about a week but will be back with enormous amounts of good paper findings.
off to L. A. X !!!
xo
*A
{above mail from paper+cup, yellow owl workshop, dauphine, wiley valentine, delphine, sycamore street press, pikku and dutch door }
Posted in Uncategorized on May 14, 2009 | 7 Comments »
My friend Amanda from 100 Layer Cake was over recently and in the course of hanging out, she gave me one of her business cards that she just had printed. I am a huge fan of good design on paper, so when she handed me this card with so many personal touches and attention to detail – I was flabergasted. I’ve had her card sitting here on my desk – admiring it for a week, then I decided, I couldn’t stand it any longer- I needed to post!
We are talking about letterpressed calligraphy, custom die cut edges, a blind deboss texture to match the website and hand-accented watercolor…
on each card!!
As excited as I was to discover all of this, I have to say I wasn’t totally surprised. The pretty ladies over at 100 layer cake obviously take the time to make sure every detail of their blog is equally phenominal. If you haven’t had the pleasure of checking it out yet, find a time during the day where you have a spare hour, get yourself a sparkling beverage, sit down and make yourself comfy and click here.
Posted in Uncategorized on May 13, 2009 | 6 Comments »
I have been realizing these days, that Mother’s Day feels more important to me than my birthday or any other holiday. I ‘m still new as a mom (2 years) and everyday figuring out how to be one. I recognize this as my most important role in life and this day is like a validation that I am doing a good job. Joshua made it special for me this year and surprised me with a brunch at Royal -T. I hadn’t heard of this place but quickly found out that it is a true gem. It is like a fancy cafe/ tea house/ art gallery/ boutique venue. Although the particular art installation that day didn’t appeal to me much, the place was a sensory overload of design in all forms and we had a great time!
The picture above is the outside of the building! I have become obsessed with the “faux greens” and am trying to score some for the wall of the newly constructed cinder-block building that went up right outside our window.
All of the waitresses dress in these adorable brown and white french maid fits – making it a truly fancy experience. The teas were really good, and the food was amazing. I would never have guessed this walking in.
I got to hang out a bunch with my little buddy. There was plenty of room for him to explore and he even got to share my cupcake with us!
Posted in Uncategorized on May 8, 2009 | 5 Comments »
Today is may 8th and we are very busy with all things Mother’s Day and getting the store ready for an E! shoot tomorrow. (more on that later) In the meantime, we JUST got in these fabulous little receiptables from knock knock that are as cute as they are functional. The collection includes portable organizers [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 6, 2009 | 1 Comment »
How cool are these Mexico Exporta stamps? I discovered them here on a blog I recently discovered (and love) called seven eight. She found them on thistle and ink
This one below is my favorite!
Posted in conversation tin on May 5, 2009 | 3 Comments »
As many of you may remember I have been whole heartedly excited about the Conversation Tin that my sister invented. (click here to find out what it is)
Today is our first guest! Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8….
A little bit of background first. I met Megan in Urbanic when she was looking for wedding invitations. Her and (her then fiancee) Nick are a dynamic couple and were super fun to work with. I loved all of her ideas, colors and design concepts when she was putting together her wedding stationery. I remember at one point in our meetings she mentioned her blog. At that time blogs meant nothing to me but I decided to investigate hers, out of curiosity. It was full of good design, interesting finds, and a great angle of undertone humor that had me addicted from the start. She kind of opened the door to the blog world and gave me some great advice when I started Parcel Post.
Here are the 3 Conversation Tin questions that Megan picked
Nicest thing a passerby has ever done for you?
Once, when I was going through a very tough period in my life, a homeless woman came up to me and handed me a cross she had made from a palm frond. She then looked me in the eye and said, “I can tell you need someone to keep you in their prayers. Remember, you are loved” Not being a religious person, the actual item wasn’t what touched me but the gesture of giving and basic human connection. The connection made was so profound coming from this woman who seemed to have so little to give.
At what line of latitude does “southern hospitality” kick in?
I’m a believer that making guests feel comfortable and welcome in your home, isn’t so much regional as it is just good old fashion manners.
Top 5 things to do when it is raining
1.nap
2.go for a run {I love running in the rain}
3.if it’s warm, swimming in a summer downpour is fantastic
4. sit in an old barn and listen to the rain drumming the roof
5. spend the afternoon with your favorite person, a bottle of wine in a quaint restaurant (preferably in Rome)
TV?
We have a love hate relationship.
: : : A Few General Questions : : : : : : : : :
Describe what you do.
I’m an illustrator, turned interior designer with a design blog that has taken on a life of it’s own
When and how did you get started?
I think I’ve probably always had interior design in my blood. I used to build and design doll houses even up through junior high. My friends would come over and I’d quickly shove my little projects under my bed with one foot, so embarrassed that they’d think I was still playing with dolls. In my 20s I was living in San Francisco and was a textile designer, I began to really pay attention to fabrics and textiles learning everything I could. I had also bought an old house which needed a lot of love. I became so consumed with transforming this house, I knew this was where my heart was ,still. Eventually, I had my work published, began taking on jobs, went back to school to learn some technical fundamentals and am thrilled each time a new challenge comes my way.
What are some of your inspirations ?
I love the some of the aesthetics of the 70s. While I totally love the glammed out hippy chic of the era I also love the tretorn, preppy 70s. Much of what I’m drawn to is reminiscent of my childhood~ spent in a conservative community with intellectual parents (my dad an architect, my mother a writer) who exposed me to great art and design.
Posted in Uncategorized on May 4, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Mothers day is this Sunday and i love how cute our collection is this year!
{ cards by eggpress, ilee, twopiglets, redcap, loose petals, and sugarcube press }
Posted in around the shop on May 1, 2009 | 9 Comments »
I can’t believe it’s May 1st already- yikes! It has been a very exciting week at the shop. For starts, the night we did inventory, Joshua hung our Urbanic sign in the bridal lounge- which brought me great pleasure.
Then we got a sweet package from Simple Song! I am so proud to announce that Urbanic will be the first shop to offer her amazing custom stationery line.
Next- the icing on the cake…. my chairs arrived!! As many of you know I have been very excited to have our stools re-covered. They arrived in full glory and I am officially a changed person.
The coolest of all Father’s Day cards have been trickling into our collection each day and getting us psyched for June! (just in case you are wondering I haven’t forgotten to highlight the cutest in Mother’s Day.. just saving up all of the treasures for a Monday post).
Have a lovely weekend my computer friends!
*A
