Friday Happy Hour: The Persian Greyhound

Nole and I recently celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary (woohoo!) at one of our favorite New York restaurants, Perilla. Nole – a picky drinker – loved a version of the classic Greyhound highball the bartender made for her, so I decided to play around with the recipe once we got home, so as to continue to ply her with drinks she enjoys. We ended up with a great cocktail on our hands, which we decided to call the Persian Greyhound: a light and breezy sour that’s perfect for the heat wave rolling over DC this week.  – Andrew

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Persian Greyhound via Oh So Beautiful Paper (33)

Signature Cocktail Recipe Card: Persian Greyhound by Caitlin Keegan Illustration for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustration by Caitlin Keegan for Oh So Beautiful Paper

The Persian Greyhound

2 oz Dry Gin
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1 oz Pomegranate Liqueur
1 Dash Ginger Liqueur
1 Dash Simple Syrup

Combine everything with ice, shake well, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Persian Greyhound via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11) Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Persian Greyhound via Oh So Beautiful Paper (29)

The Greyhound is properly a highball – a two-ingredient drink usually served in a tall glass that shares a name with this family of drinks – made from gin and grapefruit juice. (And never vodka, no matter what you hear, because who wants to drink that?) But I’m rarely content with simple highballs and usually end up adding all sorts of things to them; I’m sure there’s a time and place for a gin and tonic, for example, but why not have the superior Gin Rickey instead? So we balanced the bitter tartness of the grapefruit juice with the sweetly tart pomegranate liqueur, threw in some a bit of spicy ginger liqueur to pair with the gin’s botanicals, and added a bit of simple syrup to round out all that tartness. The results? Nole loved it – which is good enough for me.

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Persian Greyhound via Oh So Beautiful Paper (14)

With all that pomegranate liqueur, we thought it only proper to name this drink the Persian Greyhound. Only it turns out there really is a breed of dog called the Persian Greyhound, also known as the Saluqi (in Arabic) or Tazi (in Persian). Pretty neat.

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone! Can you believe we’re just a day away from JUNE?? This year is just flying by! We’re in the middle of a heat wave here in DC, so while I’m having difficulty reconciling the date on my calendar, it definitely feels like summer around here. This weekend we’re looking forward to taking Sophie to her first BBQ and hopefully finding some fountains or kiddie pools for her to splash around in! But in the meantime…

Photo by me via Instagram (our roses started blooming while we were out of town!)

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week! xoxo

OSBP At Home: In the Office

I’m taking a quick break from NSS recaps today – but not to worry, I’ll pick up again next week the remaining booths! Now that the Stationery Show is over, I’m hoping to turn more of my attention to getting our house in order, starting with my office! We’ve done very little since we moved in, aside from planting our backyard garden, but now that I have a bit more time for other activities I’m anxious to make the inside of our home more comfortable.

OSBP At Home: Office Inspiration

1. El Mueble; 2. BHG; 3. Emily Henderson4. Design Sponge; 5. Stadshem; 6. Lundia

Out of all the rooms in the house, my office will most likely require the least work – no crazy tiles to remove (more on that later), plumbing or electrical changes, or fixtures to change. Just paint, maaaaaybe wallpaper one accent wall, move some furniture around, and get to work! It will be so nice to have a calm little oasis inside the house while the rest of the rooms remain in various states of transition.

OSBP At Home: Office Resources

7. Desk; 8. Filing cabinet; 9. Martha Stewart Cement Gray Paint + Oh Joy! wallpaper; 10. Parsons bookcase; 11. Linda + Harriett quilt calendar; 12. Semikolon storage boxes

I already have most of the furniture for my office, it just needs to be arranged in a way that actually works for the room. My husband built me a desk last summer that is similar to the one above – I love it so much! I already have these CB2 filing cabinets, along with an Ikea Alex drawer unit and a (now discontinued) Effective cabinet to hide my printer and unsightly accessories. The Parsons bookcase will hold my magazine collection and books, along with some brightly colored boxes that serve as my stationery library. Most of the walls will be painted in my favorite shade of gray, but I’ve been dying for an excuse to use Joy’s wallpaper somewhere in the house – the office might be the perfect place! Finally, I can’t wait to hang my favorite prints and calendars around the office!

{images via their respective sources}

Paper Party 2013!

I’d normally wait until the end of my booth recaps to share these photos with you – but this time I just couldn’t wait!! For the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of hosting a party during the week of the National Stationery Show, and since I’m a tornado of activity down the aisles of the Javits Center during the show it’s really my only chance to hang out with many of my favorite stationers, calligraphers, retailers, printers, and fellow stationery enthusiasts! This year’s party was everything I could have hoped for and more!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (18) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (47)

Since we were at full capacity last year, we found a wonderful new venue with some room to spread around: Hudson Terrace (also just a few blocks north of the Javits Center!). The additional space also gave us some new opportunities when it came to the décor, so I enlisted the help of my friends Janice from Bellwether Events and Kelly from Studio DIY – this year’s party was definitely my favorite yet! We were also lucky to collaborate with some really amazing sponsors this year to make the whole party possible: MohawkMintedSmockLegion PaperChronicle BooksHello! LuckyTradeshow Bootcamp, and the Ladies of Letterpress!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (101) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (108)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (107) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (102)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (115) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (144)

The first 125 guests received an awesome tote bag screen printed by Fisk & Fern and packed with fantastic stationery from Mohawk Paper, Tattly, Maginating, Anemone Letterpress, Hello! Lucky, Fig. 2 Design Studio, Dear Hancock, Sugar Paper, Egg Press, Kate & Birdie, Katharine Watson, Kelp Designs, Thomas Printers, Old Tom Foolery, Legion Paper, Czar Press, Minted, Paper + Cup Design, Chronicle Books, Pistachio Press, Red Cap Cards, Smudge Ink, Parrott Design Studio, and Envelopments!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (28) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (27)

Calligraphy sign by Meant to Be Calligraphy // Custom name tags designed by Hello! Lucky

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (100) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (99)

We wanted to incorporate LOTS of color and geometric-inspired patterns into this year’s party. In addition to the invitations (which I’ll share soon!), we created several folded paper displays behind the bar using Britehue paper from Mohawk – one of my favorite details from the whole party! Stay tuned for a full tutorial!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (98)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (95)

We also created a wall of envelopes from Mohawk in every color imaginable!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (93) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (62)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (1)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (77) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (87)

Tattly was at the party with their amazing temporary tattoos!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (78)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (61)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (106)

GORGEOUS floral arrangements from Soirée Floral // Table confetti from Minted!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (127) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (123)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (26) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (118)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (109)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (23) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (132)

Rose gold foil coasters and stir sticks from For Your Party // Paper Party logo design by Linda & Harriett

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (3) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (22)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography

Cocktail recipe coasters by the Ladies of Letterpress

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (97) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (65)

Coasters from Old Tom Foolery // Signs from Minted

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (110) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (111)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (133) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (134)

Stripey straws and drink flags from Minted // Napkins from For Your Party

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (139) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (136)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (124) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (125)

This year’s Paper Party would not have been possible without the amazing sponsors seen above!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (35)

Sophie even made an appearance – and somehow ended up wearing a paper crown for most of the evening!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (2)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (75)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (6)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (7)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (36) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (76)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (10)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (19)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (49)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (54)

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (56)

We partnered with Minted to bring Smilebooth to the party – it was a huge hit! Minted even created a backdrop using custom printed fabric and their tissue paper fans!

Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (90) Paper Party 2013 Hosted by Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography (5)

This year’s party was so much fun! It was so great to see all my favorite paper people all in the same place and having the most wonderful time. I’m still grinning ear to ear just thinking about it! Once again, a huge thanks and much love to our amazing sponsors for making the whole thing possible: Mohawk, Minted, Smock, Legion Paper, Chronicle Books, Hello! LuckyTradeshow Bootcamp, and Ladies of Letterpress â€“ not to mention Hudson Terrace for having us, and to Fisk & Fern, Linda & Harriett, For Your Party, Soirée Floral, Meant to Be Calligraphy, Tattly, and Smilebooth for all being a huge part of the evening!

OSBP + Smilebooth = Paper Party 2013

Finally, a million thanks to Janice and Kelly for their support and help with the party! Could not have pulled this off without these girls.

There was no way I could fit all of the photos from this year’s party into a single post, but you can find the full Paper Party 2013 gallery right here – and all the Smilebooth photos are available right here!

Photo Credits: Charlie Juliet Photography