03/07/2018

St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow and Gold Party Inspiration

Did you grow up celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? My family has a bit of Irish heritage, but with Easter and Passover so close behind the extent of our celebrations usually involved baking a green cake or cupcakes to celebrate. But those are still some of my favorite memories from my childhood, and I’m looking forward to continuing the tradition with my own kids! Personally, I’ve always been a fan of the “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” theme than traditional shamrocks and monochromatic green. So today I thought I’d round up a bit of St. Patrick’s Day rainbow and gold party inspiration to share with all of you!

From top right:

1. Pastel rainbow tissue paper tassels are the perfect way to bring rainbow vibes into your St. Patrick’s Day party dÃ©cor! I also love this set with iridescent mylar strips in the rainbow tassels.

2. Pair the rainbow tassels with gold paper party fans from My Mind’s Eye!

3. Glittery green shamrock cupcake picks are the perfect place to bring the traditional St. Patrick’s Day motif into your party dÃ©cor! Or you could go edible with these fondant shamrocks. But if shamrocks really aren’t your thing, these rainbow cupcake toppers have a ring back and can double as party favors!

4. These balloons add just the right amount of gold sparkle to any party

5. I’m absolutely obsessed with these new party plates from Oh Happy Day! The colors in this rainbow plate are just perfect, and these round plates come in two sizes and every shade of the rainbow (I’m loving this mint green hue).

6. Gold foil cupcake liners, obviously.

7. This gold dot napkin kind of looks like gold nuggets, don’t you think? And these rainbow napkins are so fun!

8. Kids looooooove party straws! I’m into these gold party straws and these reusable rainbow stainless steel straws

9. Take your cupcakes up a notch with one of these rainbow sprinkle medleys by Sweatapolita via Shop Sweet Lulu

10. Classic party cups in every color of the rainbow!

Are you planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year? And for those of you that have kids, what are your favorite kids activities for St. Patrick’s Day? Spill all the details in the comments!

p.s. DIY pastel rainbow crepe paper backdrop and rainbow unicorn birthday party inspiration

03/06/2018

Envelope Inspiration, Volume II

I love scrolling through Instagram to find gorgeous envelopes with beautiful postage stamps, calligraphy, envelope liners, wax seals, and other fun details. Back in December, I shared a little round up of envelope inspiration from the #dailydoseofpaper and #osbpenvelopes feeds, and today I thought I’d share a second installment! Today’s envelope inspiration round up is all about the details, with gorgeous brush lettering, unique postage stamps, beautiful color combinations, and a dose of handmade paper. There’s definitely lots of inspiration to draw from below â€“ and if you’re currently planning your wedding stationery, I’d love to hear your envelope plans!

Gorgeous navy blue envelopes with white ink â€“ and those adorable custom postage stamps with tiny illustrated oranges! â€“ by Paige and Post

If you’re going for classic black and white, try mixing in some handmade paper for texture â€“ it can make all the difference! This gorgeous suite features a minimalist black and white design and classic envelope by The Keen Bee

Don’t forget about the back of the envelope! Anyone else a huge fan of wax seals on envelopes? Loving this gold wax seal moment from Paula Lee Calligraphy

Go monochromatic for big impact! Beautiful gray watercolor brush lettering on pale gray envelopes by Lauren Essl of Blue Eye Brown Eye Calligraphy

I just can’t get over that floral envelope liner by Coral Pheasant!

Delicate calligraphy and the most gorgeous assortment of fine art vintage postage stamps from Silver Fox Calligraphy

Loving this dusty rose color from Miranda Writes

A modern take on a classic combination: white calligraphy on black envelopes by Cristina Leis Calligraphy // Photo Credit: Amelia Catherine & Co.

White brush lettering on the palest of gray envelopes by Toby Rose Designs

Looking for more envelope inspiration? Follow along over at #dailydoseofpaper and #osbpenvelopes! You can also follow my envelope board on Pinterest right here!

p.s. DIY colorful watercolor envelopes and DIY mud-cloth-inspired envelopes

03/02/2018

Weekend Links + March for our Lives

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks closely following the efforts of the Parkland students to push for sensible gun control â€“ their ability to turn their grief into civic action is so inspiring! I’m a longtime supporter of sensible gun control legislation, and as a mother of two young children I feel strongly about keeping kids and teachers safe at school (and also at the movies, at concerts, and houses of worship). If you’re looking for ways to get involved, please consider joining your local chapter of Moms Demand Action (even if you aren’t a mom!) and get in touch with your local representatives to demand sensible gun control. Katie from Idlewild Co. made these rainbow postcards for writing to her local elected officials in Florida, and I asked her if she’d make them available to everyone here! You can download the postcards through the links below, and there’s also a version for sending a postcard of support to the Parkland students!

Download Hear our Voice

Download Time to Talk

Download the Support Letter

You can also download the Dear Senator and Dear Representative postcards that Allie Hasson made for us back in October after the Las Vegas massacre. To make the postcards, you can print them out on your home computer, or use an online postcard service like Staples or Moo (or your local favorite print shop!). Please note: if you’re writing to your elected representative, you MUST include your return address so they know you are a constituent â€“ otherwise staffers will throw them out.

And if you’re planning to participate in the March for our Lives on March 24, Anne Robin is offering t-shirts with the words Protect Kids, Not Guns in her beautiful calligraphy in both adult and kid sizes. 100% of proceeds go towards Everytown for Gun Safety. They’ll be available for pre-sale through Sunday only, so place your orders now!

A few links for your weekend:

Rainbow sandals for summer! While you’re at it, pick up this gorgeous pink rain jacket, this cute lace top, and this pink stripe button-up shirt. (p.s. Did you see that J.Crew is having a 30% off sale on full price merchandise? Go now!)

DC friends! Rachel of Smile and Wave is bringing her Beginner’s Weaving workshop to Common Room Studio! Sign up right here!

Completely obsessed with every single element of this kitchen renovation â€“ especially the pink sink!!!

How cute is this fringe cross-body bag?

Watching the Oscars this weekend? Download this printable ballot!

One story of when total strangers (all women) came together to help another woman

Pretend you’re good at it

Make: Garlic Vegan (!!) Fettucine Alfredo

Loving all the different lighting options in this shop!

Just bought these speckled brass earrings and can’t wait to wear them!

Applauding Dick’s Sporting Goods for taking the private sector lead in raising the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21 â€“ and also urging Congress to take further action.

That’s it for me this week! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

03/01/2018

March 2018 Wallpapers!

Happy March everyone! I have a good feeling about this month. Do you? February is always so dark and rushed, but in March we start turning the corner towards Spring. We’ve got four amazing wallpapers to help jumpstart your month, including two brand new artist contributions! We have a calligraphy wallpaper from Laura from Tennyson + Co., a pink watercolor wallpaper from Caitlin Alderfer, and two gorgeous wallpapers from Katie of The Good Twin. Pick your fave and download the files via the links below! Oh, and be sure to share a screenshot on Instagram with the hashtag #osbpdesktopdownloads and I’ll pick a few to share on Instagram stories!

iPhone | Desktop

For personal use only. All illustrations by Caitlin Alderfer, Tennyson + Co., The Good Twin for Oh So Beautiful Paper

p.s. If youâ€™re interested in walking down memory lane a bit, here are the wallpaper designs from March 2017, March 2016, and March 2015!

If youâ€™re a designer or illustrator interested in contributing your own designs to this column, please email your design to hello(at)ohsobeautifulpaper.com with the subject line â€œdesktop downloadsâ€ and image files in both desktop and iPhone retina screen sizes. If itâ€™s a good fit Iâ€™ll add it to the post for the following month!

02/28/2018

Plants and Mirrors

One of my favorite things about getting to design a studio space is getting to decorate a space that is TOTALLY different from my house. I live in a 1920s row house in DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, so when I decorate at home I have to choose details and elements that honor the age of our house. But Common Room Studio is located in an industrial space and is basically a big white box, so I get to be more modern and creative with my selections! Right now I’m all about bringing in natural textures to balance the industrial elements, which includes bringing in TONS of plants! I’m also loving the idea of mixing wall planters, mirrors, and maybe a couple of hanging planters to create a really unique installation at the studio. Here are a few of the plants and mirrors that I’ve got my eye on these days!

From top left:

1. When mixing hanging planters together, I like to vary both the length and the material composition of the planters themselves. I love the geometric lines of this hanging metal planter

3. An iridescent mirror! I’m completely obsessed (obviously).

4. Loving the speckled glaze â€“ not to mention the fun pop of color and texture! â€“ on this hanging ceramic planter

5. This rattan mirror is definitely the star of its own show. I’m also loving the softer organic lines of this round rattan mirror (not shown).

6. This diamond mirror would be GORGEOUS surrounded by hanging planters and wall planters â€“ especially in an entry way!

7. A crescent moon mirror is the perfect addition to a space with a bohemian vibe

8. Want the look of a lush indoor garden without the upkeep? These incredibly lifelike plants are actually faux!

9. Loving the organic shape of this Quartet Mirror from Anthro

10. A modern circle mirror with warm wood tones

11. This copper wall planter would be perfect for an indoor herb garden! I’m also loving the idea of mixing a few of these affordable ceramic hanging wall planters (not shown) with several mirrors for a living wall that is half plant, half art installation. Plant fast-growing and low-maintenance houseplants like pothos and spider plants for a lush living garden!

12. I’m actually eyeing this half circle mirror to hang above a DIY yarn wall hanging, but I couldn’t resist including it here! It’s also super affordable for a custom mirror at just under $100!

Anyone else doing a lot of decorating with plants and mirrors these days? Share your tips in the comments!