Friday, August 29, 2008

Oh Happy Friday

This week has flown by. We had our meetings with the wonderful people of Kate's Paperie, tried on wetsuits for our upcoming Ironman (that was a treat), decided on some fun giveaways for a gifting suite we're doing next month in LA, and have nearly finished our holiday line. Oh, and that small decision to stay in Brooklyn for a while longer:) We've got lots of exciting things coming up next week, including a small unveiling of some of our recent social stationery projects, a magazine shout out, and if all goes well, the very first L&H contest. And of course - the first days of September - my favorite of all the months. So stay tuned and have a great holiday weekend!

[photo of our staircase & the great old wall covering I refuse to touch]

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I am here - really.

I apologize for being a bit absent lately. We are a little crazy around here this week. There was the application we submitted for real commercial space here in Brooklyn. Then, of course, there was the oh s*** moment where we wanted to move to Maine... again. And now, after deciding we should stay put for the time-being, there's just the last minute deadlines for everything else. In the meantime though - I will continue to stalk the Maine real estate websites and live vicariously through Katy Elliott, who is leaving NYC and Domino to move up north. Some day, some day.

[Michaela Scherrer doily drapes via katy elliott and lisafontanarosa.com]

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

We Heart Kate's

I don't want to single out retailers for obvious reasons, and there are so very many that I love and ones that take extra special care of us, but because there's a history here, I have to say - I'm pretty proud to now be offering our custom collection in the very upscale, very paper-hip, Kate's Paperie, located right across the bridge in New York City. I remember going into Kate's for the first time about 10 years ago with my older sister and just drooling over the seemingly endless racks of paper goods. It left a huge impression on me - one that stayed with me through the years and played a big part in declaring very matter of factly in my junior year of college that I was going to design cards for a living. So, naturally, I was beyond thrilled when Kate's decided to carry our line. And then even more so when they asked us to come in to present our work to their sales staff. What a fantastic way to familiarize them with our work - how it all came to be, how we describe our aesthetic - the whole story. I was very impressed with this idea of presenting our work - and it makes me happy because it really just validates how I've felt about Kate's all along. Thanks to all the lovely women at Kate's we met this morning over bagels, muffins, D&D coffee and of course our very own L&H goodies!

[photo courtesy of racked.com]

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Paddle Surfing

I'm back! I decided last minute to take a little two-day personal time to be with my family this past weekend. It's hard to believe - and makes me very sad to think - that I may not be seeing my older sister and her family (who live in London) until next June. Gives me a little pit in my stomach just thinking about it. But, happier times this weekend were spent doing this new sport my sister picked up this summer and can't get enough of - paddle surfing. If you're in calm waters, it's not so much surfing as kayaking standing up - but it was a cool way to get out on the water and without even really getting wet. I'd like to think I looked as cool & calm as Jennifer Garner here, but mostly I was hoping not to tip over:)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Liner Love

I am obsessed with mixing patterns - or at least putting them together like in this combo of coral-colored liners. So I'm toying with the idea of offering a selection of liner patterns in the same colorway. I think this would be a great way to change up your otherwise simple stationery set. I mean, when you order nice stationery, you're probably ordering 50 or 100 or even more. So why not have a little variety?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hooray for the Deco File!

I have been a bookmarking machine the past couple of years - stuff like Christmas & birthday gifts, home accessories, furniture, patterns, recipes, dream vacation spots. You name it, I bookmark it. Domino has now launched a tool that allows you to do essentially the same thing, but with images. Genius! So your bookmarks become these thumbnails - much better for the visual person! It's like an online visual board. And so easy! Go check it out. If you're a bookmarker like me, you'll love it.

[My first images added to my Deco File from dominomag.com & my personal bookmark files]

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

More Gold & Turquoise

Oooh - Kathryn from Snippet & Ink and I are so on the same page. Love this, Kathryn!

Turquoise, Gold & Orange, oh my!

I cannot believe summer is almost over. Lucky for me this season's end brings my favorite in Fall. Love love love everything about Fall. I recently decided to spruce up our Oak invitation with a turquoise, gold & green liner that I think makes this simple foliage invitation a little happier and definitely more fun. If I were getting married all over again, I'd for sure use a colorful and carefree liner like this one.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Giveaway from m.writes

Marta has asked us to be a part of her Monday Summer Giveaway contest. All you need to do is comment on her post and you could be one of three lucky winners to get these zig zag note cards, our piggy tags or our Lace notepad. Go say hello to Marta before Friday!

Thanks, Marta!

Happy Happy News


My baby sister got engaged to an amazing guy yesterday who proposed with this custom Julie Goldstein woodblock!! She can't stop smiling, and now I can't either. Congrats K&C. We love you!

Friday, August 15, 2008

TGIF


TGIF is right. It's been quite a week. I wasn't feeling very well early on and haven't gotten to as many projects as I had hoped. But I'm happy and thankful to finally feel normal again and am so ready for a little rest this weekend! See you Monday, when we announce a little giveaway contest with a friend from the blog world. Have a great weekend.

[Andrew Hetherington "Moo Cow" photo courtesy of 20x200.com]

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Wilco in Brooklyn



Wilco played at McCarren Pool in Brooklyn last night. I'd never been to the abandoned pool before, and it was one of the coolest outdoor venues I'd ever been to. Wilco is near & dear to our hearts, so it was not even a question that I drag my still kinda sick body there. And what a fantastic way to spend a cooler-than-average summer night. And we had a star sighting! Tim Robbins & Susan Sarandon walked right in front of us as they were escorted over to the sound/technical tent. Wilco fans? Who knew. See more pics here.

[photos courtesy of brooklynvegan.com]

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Back to Camp


I'm working on a camp-themed invitation for a benefit here in NYC. Think smores, camp fires, wooden benches - all in a New York City loft. Love it. John & I got married at a summer camp in Maine, so this is right up my alley.

[photo courtesy of marthastewart.com]

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Make Your Own Books



I love the simple look & layout of these make-your-own books from blurb.com via Vane at Brooklyn Bride. I'd totally do this with photos from a big birthday or special event - or to highlight a special vacation - or even to remember a loved one that has passed. Our friends are looking to buy a house in the country to completely renovate themselves, and I think this would even be a great way to capture something like that too. Vane is doing a contest at Brooklyn Bride for a discount on blurb.com, so be sure to check that out.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Ironman in Training: Bad Knees


This is what you see when you get hurt during a beautiful ride and you're left to wait until your partner finishes the four hours your knees couldn't take you. Something is not right with my bike fitting and causing my knees to ache - badly. Oddly, running doesn't hurt them at all. It's all very strange to me having had three fittings already - and I'm frustrated. But I'm going to a tri-coach on Wednesday to try & get this settled once for all. Fingers crossed.

The above photo is the view from a park bench in Nyack, NY.

Friday, August 8, 2008

08.08.08



Hooray for the Olympics starting today! I cannot wait. Great ad above from Wieden+Kennedy Portland for Nike featuring the men's USA basketball team and set to the score of Marvin Gaye's performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" from the 1983 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. See the ad in better quality here.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

New Music: Bon Iver



I can always count on great new music from Lizzy. This one is Bon Iver & Bowerbirds "Lovin's for Fools" - a new favorite. Thanks, Lizzy!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Chez Panisse Vegetables




I recently bought a book (another Ironman book - I'm up to four now) on Amazon.com. And you know that little trick they do - where they say something like - "You put these in your cart the last time and didn't buy them - do you want to buy them now?" I always ignore that - but for some reason, I was like - okay, okay, I'll finally order them. One of those books I have been holding back on buying was Alice Waters' Chez Panisse Vegetables. Oh my goodness. If there is one cookbook that I want to have forever - it's this one. First of all, the book is gorgeous - in function & in presentation & in practice. It flops open nicely - unlike some cookbooks that you have to pry & crease to stay open. And the illustrations are beyond words. Yes, they are vegetables - but they are beautiful. They were all originally letterpress pieces done by Patricia Curtan. I could cut out & frame a whole bunch of them if I didn't want to hold on to this book so badly. And the recipes are made up of all very simple & fresh ingredients. Thank you amazon.com for reminding me to purchase. This is such a little gem. Go see for yourself here.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Under the Weather & Betsy Walton


I guess that's how it goes. John wasn't feeling well yesterday, so now I'm not feeling well today. Ugh. I really don't like being sick. I wanted to share some new photos from our photo shoot in Maine, but I just don't have the energy. But! How great is this print from Betsy Walton? I am obsessed with the color she uses in her work. See more here.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Ironman In Training: with Camera




I never really got the whole bike jersey thing. I understand the fitted element. Less flapping. Got it. But does it really matter if the waistband and arm sleeves have elastic? And do you need a zipper in the front? Is this uncomfortable aerodynamic clothing design going to make me any faster? No. No way. But I wear it anyway. Partly to look the part:) And partly because, okay, I do hope it gives me wings. The one aspect of the bike jersey that I really like - is the back pocket. I decided to bring my camera with me on our long ride up to Nyack yesterday - and with relative ease, I was able to reach around and grab it on the go. It probably wasn't within the code of Bike Safety 101, but I was so happy to finally be able to capture our ride like this. And how great is this rainbow welcoming us back to our borough?

Photos: Riding through Nyack. View from the GW Bridge. View from the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Hello, August. Hello, Cashmere.


I'm in the midst of designing the holiday & 2009 calendar - trying very hard to think of all things warm & cozy while I sit next to the ac unit, cooling my sweaty self. I love these J.Crew colors for fall.