There so many options when incorporating gold in your stationery suite. And so many ways to print metallic inks. Each printing method shows off gold in a different way.
First, there’s letterpress gold. Any metallic ink, when printed letterpress, results in a subtle, matte finish:
We get a lot of of requests for foil-stamped gold. This is a hi sheen, mirror-like gold:
Engraved gold is raised, and has a beautiful, delicate sheen. It’s hi contrast finish works really well with detailed artwork.
If your budget doesn’t allow for the above printing choices, you can use a gold paper, envelope, or liner in your stationery. Digital and offset printing work really well on Curious’s gold cardstock:
Tell us if you’re planning to incorporate gold into your stationery suites!
Receiving a note in the mail is always appreciated…just this week I received two paper invitations, and I was thrilled to see my name, hand written, peeking out from the stacks of bills and mailers. The gesture is even more meaningful now, as so much of our correspondence is handled digitally. I mean, don’t get me wrong- I love technology, but the process of putting pen to paper, picking out a stamp, and sealing the envelope has a quality that a quickly typed text or email just can’t compare to.
A few of our new designs have corresponding thank you notes available to purchase directly on our site…write your friends about it!
Oh, and in case you’re not sure how to write a thank you note, please see my tips for scribing a thoughtful one.
Ben Schott, writer, photographer, designer, produced a series of almanacs that are filled with charming miscellany: from a list of the year’s SNL hosts, most stylish tots, food trends, news, to statistics. The cover illustrations by Alison Lang are equally inviting.
I’m obsessed with yellow right now. Maybe because I’m noticing it everywhere, as it pops out against the grey of Chicago’s long winter, or that I’m just craving the sun, but it’s cheery brightness is one of my current favorites, and I’m especially loving it with… no surprise here… white. The pop of it, the warmth, the unabashed presence of it. Hello, yellow – you may come in. And stay a while.
These lemons seemed especially yellow to me at whole foods this weekend:
Louis Vuitton Spring 2013 ad campaign:
My super stylish client’s save the date:
One of the best things about my job is getting to meet so many couples, and hear about their stories…How they met, what is important to them, and understanding their style and those unique details that make them who they are. When we connect, I can truly create something that represents them, like when Marisa and Mike brought in a photo of a swimming pool, shimmering in the sun, and we created this. Or when Dina and I discussed the rich meaning in Portuguese lencos de namorados, and her love of bright color, and we created this.
I wanted to bring a little of that custom process to this invitation. It’s a timeline of your shared romance; the important milestones that capture your story, and lead up to your wedding day.
Miramonte is a spanish word meaning behold the mountains, and a street name in Santa Barbara, where I made my home for my first 25 years. The pattern and color palette remind me of the summers in the mountains of Santa Barbara, when the natural color of greenery gets dried out by the sunshine, and turns to golden khakis, tan, and straw. Those of you who are familiar with this climate know what I’m talking about! So different from the summers in Chicago, where the rain keeps everything a lush green. I would love to see this blind debossed as well- the pattern would be pretty striking with no ink…
Photography by Julia Franzosa
SO excited to share that our new invitation collection is now live on our site! We’ve added ten new designs, expanded our skyline series to include more cities, and included more photos and a simple inquiry form, so that the quoting and ordering process is more streamlined. I could not have gotten these up on the site without the incredible talent and patience of Julia Franzosa, who photographed all of the new designs on the site, encouraged me to add, and helped style these photographs. All the of beautiful calligraphy you see is from Stacey Shapiro, who is just a joy to work with. Take a look at the new designs, and tell us which is your favorite!
Recently, the US Postal Service announced that they may cancel Saturday mail service around the country. Of course, with so much of our communication being conducted online, it makes financial sense for USPS to do this, but this trend of less actual mail being sent is sort of sad to me. Even before I got into this industry, I took great satisfaction in sitting at my dining room table, going through the stack of bills, writing checks, sealing up the envelope, applying stamps. Same goes for writing a friend a small note of thanks, or wishing them a happy birthday through the mail. I just love the sense of accomplishment I feel, holding a stack of letters, taking them to the post office, knowing that I completed a task, or that someone soon will receive a little good cheer in their mailbox.
The post offices on the east coast have that old world appeal- this one shot in Boston.
There’s definitely a beauty to be found in these simple pleasures, and I’m happy to be doing my part to keep the mail alive.
Photo of our VIntage stamps from Elizabeth Messina.
If only my desk view was always this serene- shot on location in indiana from our monogram collection photo shoot by Elizabeth Messina.
When my son Charlie told me he just wanted to make simple white hearts for his classroom Valentines, MY heart swelled with pride. Luckily, I hadn’t purged everything in my winter clean up, and had most of a carton of eames architecture in white leftover from this custom invitation.
If you’re like me, and have waited ’til today to get your valentine something sweet, shop my local favorites for a last minute gift.
Old Town, or online, Greer’s Civilettes Portable Love Notes.
Logan Square, Fleur for a mini bouquet, or a last minute card or candle.
Visit Katherine Anne for her handmade marshmallows.
North Center, Hazel for a sweet note and jewelry.
Lincoln Park, visit Elizabeth Grace for a customized iphone case or business card holder.
or Vosges for their luxe truffles. My favorite collection.
Bucktown, stop by Pistil and Vine for a lovely bouquet or single bloom for your mom.
And, last but not least, if you’re in Andersonville, check out this bookstore for a great read.
We were thrilled to learn last week from our beautiful bride Demeka that her and Lashon’s stunning destination wedding had made the pages of The Knot. Demeka achieved an understated elegance throughout the design of the ceremony and reception from her all white orchid bouquet, petal runner, understated place settings, and single bloom floral canopy framing the alter. The natural landscape of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico was the perfect backdrop to her color palette of dove grey, yellow, and white; carried seamlessly throughout the event.
Her yellow and grey custom wedding invitations were letterpress printed by Rohner Letterpress in Chicago, and backed to custom laser printed dove grey folders. A sheet of Basis yellow cardstock was sandwiched between to frame the invitation.
