Getting ready for fall

One of my favorite things about fall has always been picking out a new lunch bag and umbrella!  These new "Vinbrellas" will surely cheer us up when the weather wants to bring us down.  These compact umbrellas fit into cases that look like mini wine bottles!  Also, we just received a fresh supply of washable, lunch bags and sandwich "lunch skins".  Mix or match the delightful graphic designs.  They all pop in the top shelf of the dish washer to keep them fresh and clean all year long!

Feeling crafty?

If these longer, late summer nights are making you feel crafty, we have just the thing for you!  Create your own gift tags, greeting cards or just embellish envelopes or notes with these new stamp sets from Yellow Owl Workshops.  We love the simple, hand-cut designs, packaged to work together!

Pretty pattern pens

Five pretty patterns adorn these fine-tip black ink ball point pens.  We like to tie them onto a box of notecards or a tablet to finish off a small gift.  Only $4.50 each, they also look pretty inside your own handbag!

Academic Calendars now in!

For those of you who like to get your year started in August, we just received the first academic calendars for the 2013 - 14 season.  Whether you want a wall calendar, a desk blotter calendar or a wire-bound planner we have you covered!

Washi Tape is in!

Choose from our wide variety of patterns and colors and get creative!  Tape photos into albums, use for giftwrapping, closing envelopes...Check out our Facebook page for some clever uses and you can win a prize if you send us a great washi tape use!

Stationery Show Wrap

We always arrive at the show breathlessly seeking fresh new looks for the season!  We were not disappointed!  Here are some of our favorite trends:

Chalkboard art is still strong and we found it cleverly incorporated in all kinds of paper goods.

The new Kate Spade booth had quite the buzz at the show.  We swooned over the witty, bold simplicity of the designs.  Be sure to stay tuned, we ordered almost all of it!

Watercolors in summery pastels - a really fresh look!  Mara-Mi has lovely notecards and invitations.  This Kate Spade 2014 planner is a stunner!  Beautiful art throughout the book!

 We were delightfully surprised to find these Florence Broadhurst designs at the Giftwrap Co.  You may recognize some of these patterns from Kate Spade bags and fabrics.  Look for them in the shop very soon!

 Gold foil and letterpress are showing up in all kinds of uses.  These notebooks will add flair to desktops!

 We really fell for these fresh, playful prints evoking gay Paris!  They are on the way along with notecards, greeting cards...

 Organic glam!  We love the contrast of these timeless styles, hand done in gold leaf.  Alicia got to choose the paper colors so we could put together a look that is Paper Delights!

Rifle Paper Company continues to lead the new design aesthetic.  We saw Rifle-inspired designs throughout the show, but a visit to the Rifle booth made it clear who was leading the way!  This amazing 2014 desk calendar {check out the packaging} is just a tease of the gorgeous paper goods on the way!

Summer Entertaining

Just in - the books that will inspire and inform your own memorable summer gatherings:

Plan the soiree...

Wish you did a bit more entertaining, but intimidated by the thought of all the details?  Fancy bridal luncheon or laid-back Sunday brunch -  every single entertaining question you've ever had is answered!  Simple solutions are the specialty of expert, Susan Spungen.  I especially appreciate the time-saving and money-saving ideas lists.

...the refreshment...

Cookbook or Coffee Table book?  Pure beauty, pure inspiration!  Once you get past the amazing letter pressed cover with white/black pin-dot fabric binding {breathe} you'll be treated to a plethora of healthy, delicious, and visually exciting veggie dishes.  Author, Matt Wilkinson draws from a long career in the culinary arts, taking greens from garden to table.  Even if you never make a single recipe from this book you'll find it a treasure to own!

...the decor...

Stunning floral arrangements made easy.  The women of Studio Choo, the hottest design studio in the country break it down for you, using unusual botanicals and unique vessels. The amazing photos and step-by-step instructions will have you creating the beautiful floral designs you've dreamed of!

Bright brushstrokes - huge spring trend!

Once you see the full selection of invitations you'll want to plan a party!

Double the pleasure - fun to send & fun to receive!  Send a message on these delightful notecards and you'll spread that happy feeling!  Not only are the cards and invitations amazing, but the envelopes are textured, white paper with a gold print inside.  You'll want to drop by the shop to see the full selection.

ring-a-ding-ding...

You'll love that sound and every other little tune that gives you an excuse to get out your cell phone and show it off!  Protect your iphone 5 with these beautiful little gems that just arrived from Rifle Paper Co.  Each case features a hard outer shell and a rubber inner liner to cushion against falls and bumps.  The only hard part is choosing which one!