Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations

Modern yet classic and geometric yet organic, this wedding invitation suite is full of the very best juxtapositions. Michael Musser of Anticipate Invitations drew inspiration from one of nature’s most beautiful elements when creating these striking navy and gold foil agate-inspired wedding invitations. How beautiful is that gold foil border formed by the agate lines against that gorgeous dark blue paper?! 

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

From Michael: Sharla and Nick approached me with their own jumping off point ideas for their wedding stationery design, and I knew they were on to something that could be taken to another level with some carefully well thought-out details.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

Sharla wanted to bring in something modern and abstract, yet also keep the feeling classic and traditional. She also wanted to use the blue hues and metallic golds she would repeat through her other wedding design elements. After some initial designs that were more geometric in nature, we landed on the more organic, yet graphic lines, of an agate slice. It allowed for the invitation to be fully classic and fully modern at the same time. To lean classic, we kept everything in metallic gold foil and printed on Colorplan paper’s dramatic Imperial Blue. The lines of the stone were pulled from a scan of an actual agate slice, and then edited and filled in as necessary to perfectly frame the invitation’s wording.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

To further mimic the stone, we used graduated shades of blue paper from Colorplan for the remaining details cards, so that when stacked, it would create a beautiful ombré effect. To visually tie the pieces together, the agate lines of the invitation were repeated on all the corners of the smaller cards. When stacked, they formed the complete agate design, but perfectly hid the invitation’s wording.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

The secondary cards included accommodations, a modern map card that mixed simple watercolor lines and gold foil, and the reply card with envelope.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

The cards were tied together with gold string in a random and layered fashion while framing the monogram that was printed on the back of the top details card.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

The suite was slipped into a clear vellum envelope, which was then inserted into a light blue outer envelope and lined with metallic gold paper. The envelope’s finishing touch was the set of four vintage postage stamps, that highlighted the blue tones and the geodes.

Navy and Gold Foil Agate-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations

Thanks, Michael!

Design: Anticipate Invitations
Printing: Hodgins Engraving
Paper: Colorplan Papers
Planning: Two Be Wed

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Very Robin & Co.

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations

Imagine a Downton Abbey era garden party by the ocean. Sounds pretty awesome, right? Well, that’s exactly what Nichole of Coral Pheasant had in mind when creating these classic ocean-inspired wedding invitations! The entire suite is letterpress printed in a restrained slate blue, with classic typography and the most gorgeous envelope liner of painted waves crashing on the shore. So beautiful!

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

From NicholeKara and Victor were married by the sea this past August in Groton, Connecticut. Kara grew up spending her summers on the Connecticut shoreline and her love of the ocean and its energy greatly guided the direction of her wedding invitations. The grandeur of the Branford House is what drew them to the venue, but it was important to Kara and Victor that their wedding was formal and sophisticated – and by no means stuffy. A Downton Abbey era garden party by the ocean with clean lines and classic colors.

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

Kara shared with me that she wanted her guests to leave their wedding thinking “Wow! That wedding was beautiful, comfortable and fun. And the food was awesome!” While I couldn’t ensure the delicious food, I was totally game to get her guests excited about her wedding – and that’s just what their paper story did!

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

The typography of the invitation was classic and very considered, balancing a serif font with a charming script. The suite was letterpress printed in slate blue on 110# Crane’s Lettra and the main invitation and outer envelope flap were edged in the same slate blue, adding a restrained graphic pop. The envelope liner of painted waves crashing on the shore is a nod to Kara’s love of the ocean and the venue’s seaside location.

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

Additional, subtle color was layered in through colored envelopes: a light dusty blue for the outer envelope and a soft grey for the reply envelope. Illustrations of lavender sprigs and the printed stamps on the outer envelope add just the right touch of gaiety making this suite extra sweet. If you look closely, you’ll see that the printed stamps relate back to the ocean with illustrations of a shell and a lighthouse, along with their wedding date bordered by lavender sprigs.

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

Classic Ocean-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Coral Pheasant

Thanks Nichole!

Stationery Design and Styling: Coral Pheasant

Coral Pheasant is a member of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of Nichole’s beautiful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more invitation inspiration!

Photo Credits: Coral Pheasant

2017 Gift Guide: Small Business Gift Ideas

Well hello there, everyone! And welcome to our first gift guide of the season! I know Small Business Saturday was, well, technically on Saturday, but that shouldn’t stop us from supporting small businesses as much as possible throughout the year, right? So today I’m sharing some special small business gift ideas from some of my favorite makers and shops with a particular focus on home and style gift items!

Small Business Gift Ideas: Home + Style

1. Sunwoven: I’m absolutely LOVING the artist collaboration between Sunwoven and Anthropologie, particularly this throw and this pillow. Yes, this is Anthropologie, but these collaborations definitely support the artists and help them expand into products that they might not have the capacity to produce on their own. You can also find Sunwoven original wall hangings on their website right here and through their collaboration with West Elm here!

2. Beautiful, colorful baskets from 31 Bits that help support fair pay and clean, safe workplaces for artisans around the world.

3. Jill Makes Necklace: I have a couple of necklaces from Jill Makes – and someone compliments me on them literally every single time I wear them. I’m loving this coral and emerald wood bead necklace and this colorful necklace!

4. A beautiful piece from Secret Holiday Co. with a simple and powerful message.

5. Electric Sun Creatives makes the most beautiful metal wall hangings. I can’t stop thinking about this brass and copper piece. 

6. The River Haze: I just can’t get over the woven and macramé wall hangings by The River Haze, and the way she incorporates geometric wood art into some of her pieces. Just gorgeous!

7. When trivets are works of art. Loving these brass rainbow trivets from 31 Bits.

8. Hand painted wood wall charms by The Great Lakes Goods (the pastel rainbows are my current favorite!)

9. Candles make such lovely gifts! This ceramic candle is just gorgeous – and the vessel can be reused once the candle is done!

10. Beautiful nature-inspired ceramic pieces from A Question of Eagles

11. Amy Hamley Ceramics: I’m completely obsessed with all the amazing ceramics by Amy Hamley. These starburst dishes are absolutely incredible, but don’t even get me started on the gorgeous planters and vases. They’re all gorgeous and would make lovely gifts!

12. Paper & Clay Danish Mug: My husband gave me this mug in pink for Christmas last year, and I LOVE IT. This deep blue is so pretty!

Holiday Party Outfit Idea: Laser-Cut Midi Skirt and Jean Jacket

This post is sponsored by eBay.

I mostly live in jeans and a t-shirt – or jeans and a sweater when the weather turns cold. But with the holidays just around the corner, I wanted to add a couple of skirts and dresses to my wardrobe for holiday gatherings. A midi skirt is the perfect length for my petite (5’2″) frame, so I turned to eBay to find exactly what I was looking for!

The Perfect Jean Jacket for Fall from eBay!

Did you know that 80% of all merchandise sold on eBay is brand new? I found this gorgeous (and totally brand new!) laser-cut midi skirt by J.Crew in the prettiest shade of blush pink. The skirt is also available in white and navy blue, but I’m loving blush for the holidays – not to mention for wearing again in the spring and summer! Plus, this skirt has pockets. Who can resist a skirt with pockets??

The Perfect Jean Jacket for Fall from eBay!

I paired my blush pink midi skirt with my favorite jean jacket – another eBay score! I love the cropped fit of this J.Crew jean jacket, and it’s the perfect shade of lightly faded denim. A jean jacket is a wardrobe staple that everyone should have in their closet. And I’m pretty sure the best part is getting to decorate your jacket with your favorite pins and flair!

The Perfect Jean Jacket for Fall from eBay!

These days, 87% of items sold on eBay are Buy it Now – which means you can purchase your item instantly and totally hassle-free, with no bidding necessary and no more waiting days for an auction to end. It’s perfect when you know exactly what you want and need it fairly quickly! 

The Perfect Jean Jacket for Fall from eBay!

The Perfect Jean Jacket for Fall from eBay!

The skirt runs pretty true to size, but if you’re thinking about buying the jean jacket I’d recommend going up a size so you can layer it over light sweaters and long sleeve tops. With super fast free shipping, everything arrived at my door within three days. If you’re hunting for the perfect outfit for Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties, be sure to shop now!

Photos by Anna Meyer Photography

This post is sponsored by eBay. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!

Calligraphy Inspiration: Pink + Peach

Hey everyone! My 6-year-old daughter isn’t the only fan of pink in our house — I love pink. My fall coat is a coral pink hue, in fact. And when I stumbled on the work of Natalie Garrigan of Pink + Peach, I was tickled pink. I think you will be, too. Here’s a sweet dose of calligraphy inspiration. Enjoy! Jen

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Photo Credit: Tetiana Photography

Yes to everything in this photo. The modern organic style of the calligraphy, the choice of berries and blooms for the place cards, and of course, the pink sofa.

Pink + Peach Copper Place Cards

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Photo Credit: Sue Blue Events

Natalie is a self-taught calligrapher based out of Seattle. She just picked up calligraphy about 2 years ago (wow!). She went full-time with Pink + Peach about a year ago.

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

How do you get this good at calligraphy in such a short time? Practice, of course. Natalie shares: “My lettering style is ever evolving, as I feel I am still trying to perfect my style. That’s my favorite aspect about my job — I’m always learning!”

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Natalie finds inspiration from fonts and she focuses on letter flow. She explains: “If I don’t like how my ‘h’ flows into an ‘r’ or ‘k’ into an ‘s’, I’ll rework the letters until I’ve found an aesthetic flow. In my mind, flow is queen.”

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Photo Credits: Dawn Photography

Here’s a peek at table settings just perfect for fall. The calligraphy place cards add the special finishing touch. The place cards above feature Natalie’s lettering work on broken ceramic tiles.

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

These pretty place cards show off her calligraphy on vellum with edges burned by hand.

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Black calligraphy on white envelopes is a timeless classic – but Natalie’s calligraphy style and use of vellum envelopes makes everything feel modern.

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Natalie loves to work her calligraphy magic on non-paper materials. Her favorites are leather and marble. Of leather, she shares: “It responds to ink beautifully and can be manipulated into whatever your vision is. Tiles are a close second because of their elegance.”

Calligraphy by Pink + Peach

Photo Credit: Jason Lucas Photography

And with that cozy fall imagery, I’ll leave you. Thanks so much to Natalie of Pink + Peach for sharing a peek into her work and process!