Gift Guide 2012: Paper Edition

Oh, you know I love this one.  Paper is my favorite thing in life, and with this gift guide I always try to think beyond "just" notecards.

A Linda & Harriett calendar.  I literally start every year with one of these.  A larger size than before and letterpressed to the hilt, this is paper at its nicest.  With designs that double as postcards.  $34

A reproduction photo of DuPont Circle from Blue Monocle.  This company makes reproduction photos and maps of places all over.  Choose a special place in the recipient's life.  from $25

An acorn notepad from 1canoe2.  This is just fun.  I love the deep green background on the cover.  You get 75 sheets and a whole lot of charm.  $13

An adventure print from Scout's Honor Co.  I love the typography and simplicity happening here.  This 5x7 size has such a nice price that you can splurge on a frame.  $12

Pony Express postcards from Rifle Paper Co.  It's really hard to go wrong with Rifle.  This is a set of 10 cards, and postage on these is cheaper than on normal cards.  It's a Christmas miracle.  $10

Striped letterpress notecards from Heartfish Press.  Stripes and letterpress?  Sold.  This is a set of six.  $16

Specs Appeal Papers Giveaway!

Do be a dear and check out the giveaway that my blog pal Morgan is hosting over on La Chapstick Fanatique.  The winner will receive a set of whale cards from my Etsy shop.

Thanks for hosting, Morgan!  You're tres bonne.

Specs Appeal Papers!

The day has finally arrived!  I just launched my new Etsy shop, Specs Appeal Papers.

Through my shop I offer heat embossed notecards, invitations, gift tags, and more!

I had been thinking of doing this for a long time, but after meeting Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage at the West Elm event a few months ago, my mind was made up.  She has given me great advice, and I have gotten quite a bit of support from friends and co-workers.

Please remember Specs Appeal Papers for your paper needs--and wants!  If there's something that piques your interest but you'd like to modify it, just send me a convo in Etsy, and we'll try to make it happen.  I appreciate all mentions, links, hearts, etc.  :) 

To join my mailing list, please click here.  I promise that I won't load you down with messages--no more than one per month at the absolute maximum.  Thanks, as always, for your continued support.

Sneak Peek...

Big news is coming soon...

Insta-specs

So maybe I'm a bit obsessed with Instagram.  And by obsessed, I mean that sometimes I post pictures there and subconsciously think that I blogged them instead.  Whoops!  Here's my feed.

Here's one of my latest snaps.  It's my customized stamp from Paperwink.  And I. Love. It.

Gift Guide 2011: Paper Edition

This was probably the hardest gift guide to put together because there seems to be a never-ending stream of great paper items in the market.  (You should see my list of bookmarked sites.  Whew.)  Since I already did an Etsy guide, I did not dip back into my favorites here, although there are many!

The Linda & Harriett calendar is one of my perennial must-haves.  Each page is letterpressed, and the bottom half can be detached and used as a snazzy postcard.  Stylish and green.  $30

I have these nifty custom notepads from Paper Source, thanks to my pal Missy!  This style is Bebas, but they have tons more.  You get five notepads of various sizes, all with your own name.  $35

How about some monogrammed little notes from In Haus Press via Felt & Wire Shop?  These fun-size cards come five to a set with the letter of your choosing.  $8

Can you even stand this spec-ed out ant print from Rifle Paper?  It's 8 X 10 and impossibly cute.  $24

For the paper lover who has (almost) everything, let me recommend custom calling cards from Paperwink.  This style is woodcut, and you can pick from about 30 different colors.  There are also various styles.  Starts at $31 for a set of 25

To follow up with all of your great gifts this year, you could send these retro-cool thank you cards by Blanca Gomez via Red Cap Cards.  I am digging the sort of vintage storybook vibe to the colors and font.  $3.95 each or $14.95 for a set of eight

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Postage...

But I love it!  Sending Christmas cards is one of my favorite things of the whole year.

This time around I'm going with Linda and Harriett's Happy Holidays snowshoes and a moose that says "Get Jolly!"  (I heat-embossed the snowflake.)  These styles are not currently available, but they have a few other good ones as well (at a great price!), if you still need some.

I embossed this pinecone on the moose cards.  I'm also going all DIY on some gift tags, as I did last year.  Fun times!  For those who will be getting one of these in the mail, I'm sorry I couldn't wait.  This is just a sneak peek. 

How is everyone getting ready for the holidays?

West Elm + Etsy = Less Than Three*

By now it's pretty clear that I heart West Elm.  And Etsy.  Imagine my sheer delight to hear of the two teaming up for a Handmade Holiday Workshop.  I just got home after attending with Ashley and was so excited that I had to blog right away.

All of the Etsy sellers are local Nashvillians.  First up was Hummingbird Factory.  Seller Ashley has really neat screenprinted items, like tea towels, zippered cases, pillows, and much more.

I bought five of these tags!  Two have navy blue anchors, and three have dark brown pinecones.  They will be used on my gifts this year.

Next up was The Shabby Creek Cottage.  Gina showed an edited collection of her range of country/beachy wares.  She uses a lot of burlap, aqua, and stripes.  Ummm....yes!! 

See that little packet to the right?  I bought that!  It's a set of chalkboard tags with jute string.  SO neat!

I also perused really clever stationery at Adelyn Stone.

It's rather dreadful that my stationery collection is so jam-packed.  I had to just walk away, or I would've gone a bit crazy.  She's definitely added to my favorites, though!

And I wanted to give a little pic-love to the host of the event.

(Missy, aren't these cool?!  Wink!)

Best of all, the event benefitted Oasis Center, a local charity that offers youth counseling, shelter, college assistance, and tons of activities.  It was a wonderful night!

*Less than three is <3.  I got that little phrase from a card from Kristan Lynn, the seller at Adelyn Stone.

Gift Guide 2011: Etsy Edition

I love a gift guide.  And this year I thought I'd break mine up into small editions to keep things easier.  First up is Etsy. 

Where to start?  These picks came from countless hours of perusing blogs, magazines, and Etsy itself.  Most of my favorites are of the paper variety, but I tried to branch out a bit.  I am a fan of supporting independent businesses and craftspeople whenever possible.  You end up with unique, creative gifts while helping someone else live their dreams.  Hokey but accurate.

A milk & honey candle from Sweet Petula.  It's vegetable wax in a clean scent, and it will burn for 60+ hours in that snazzy frosted (reusable) glass.  $24

A linen-covered journal in awesome chevron stripes from Holli Zollinger.  And a kraft paper binding, naturally.  Let your recipient sketch, list, and doodle to their heart's content.   $12

A jar of chocolate spoon fudge from Nicole's Treats.  Handmade in a really nifty 4 oz. jar, with two mini spoons!  Nummy.  $9

A monogrammed porcelain tray from Jeanette Risco.  Customizable, 6.75" x 5.25", and just the right size for an array of finger sandwiches or your favorite cosmetics containers.  $31

A chevron jotter from Wit & Whistle.  I love a chevron.  Guilty.  At 3.5" by 5" and in sturdy kraft paper, it's perfect for marking down websites, coupon codes, blog ideas, etc. in an old-school way.  $5.75

A set of me & you pencils from Knot & Bow.  Now, aren't these sweet?  A veritable who's who of the great food pairings, along with a lil' sentiment for a best friend or a significant otre, to round out the set of six.  $12

(Note: I received permission from all sellers to use their images and to link to their Etsy stores.)

Long Weekend

In three words.  Relaxing.  Flowers.  Stamping.

I picked these up at Whole Foods today.  Just because.

Then I stamped up some birthday lovin' for my niece. 

Don't worry about this spoiling the surprise.  She's not a blogger, although I did have her text me her current favorite colors.  Aren't kids funny that way?

What did you do over the last few days?

Guest Post Alert!

My blog pal Morgan of La Chapstick Fanatique asked me to do a lil' guest post.  So I did one on rubber stamping/heat embossing!  Do, please, check it out!

I Zigged.

I framed another little piece of somethin' somethin' recently.  This one came from Linda & Harriett's sale!  The frame came from Wal-Mart (for about $9-ish), and I scored this awesome piece of paper for about a buckaroo.  It's one-of-a-kind, aesthetically pleasing to me, and totally replaceable, in case it can't handle the steam.  (It's in the bathroom.)

Again, I apologize for the lack of great lighting.  I tried it with the flash, and things went from ehh to ugh.  And I had to do a wonky angle so you didn't just see a splotchy reflection of me on a Sunday afternoon.

NOT Wallet-Friendly

So Nashville is soon getting two of my favorite stores ever.  And I'm stoked about it. 

First up, in August, is Paper Source!

It's going in the Hill Center, where it will live in excellent company--with West Elm, Whole Foods, Anthropologie, California Pizza Kitchen, and several other cool spots.  If you're not familiar with Paper Source, I have to ask what the holdup is.  They have some great gift ideas, along with cool papers and basic stationery goodness.  (This is a picture of the Atlanta store.)

Then, in November, The Container Store is opening!

It will be at The Mall at Green Hills, presumably taking over the space left vacant by the Davis Kidd bookstore.  I won't be buying so much here, but it will be a great place to browse and get ideas.  Again, nifty gifts can be found here.  Thanks for the head's up, Missy! 

Now...if only we could get an IKEA.  I think that would make my retail life complete.  I'll definitely take what I can get, though!  Who's up for Christmas shopping this year?!

Derailed.

My resolution train is seriously off its tracks.  *sigh*  Linda & Harriett has a new outlet and craft bin.  My order has been placed.  Enjoy, but hurry!  Things are going fast.

Just Peachy

I spent a nice, long weekend in Atlanta with my pals Samantha and Jonathan, a fun married couple.  We went to Paper Source, Yeah! Burger, CB2, Lotta Frutta, Youngblood Gallery, Highland Row Antiques, The Beehive, Richard's Variety Store, and IKEA. 

I had a blast.  Here are some pictures.  :)

I want two of these stools.  Bad.

Cool succulents at CB2.

Random antique-y goodness.

The Beehive is really neat.  It's like an in-person Etsy.  That's how Samantha described it--spot-on.

You know I always have my eyes peeled for specs.

Here Samantha is chilling with her imaginary wine in a 67-cent glass.

We had an excellent time together.  Thanks again, Samantha and Jonathan!