11/15/2013

OSBP + Red Barn Mercantile: A Curated Holiday

It has been a special week with the launch of two new columns, but I’m about to make it even more so by sharing a special project I’ve been working on for the past few weeks! I was lucky enough to help curate the holiday card collection at Red Barn Mercantile, a lovely local shop in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia (just across the river from DC). Amy, the owner, first proposed the idea over the summer, so it’s really fun to finally see our collaboration come together. The collection was unveiled during Red Barn Mercantile’s annual Holiday Open House last week â€“ along with a special window display highlighting our collaboration!

Yep, that’s my name on a store window. Seriously, pinch me!

Amy’s window designer put together the fun display, complete with real mailboxes and gifts wrapped in kraft paper. The wonderful folks at Mohawk were kind enough to send dozens of their envelopes, which practically covered the entire window!

Located right on King Street, Red Barn Mercantile has the most lovely selection of home furnishings, decor, gifts, entertaining pieces â€“ and yes, some beautiful stationery! It’s the kind of store designed to get me into a lot of trouble.

Here’s a sample of the holiday card collection! So many pretty holiday cards all in one place! I had a lot of fun pulling my ideas together, but it was a completely different way of thinking for me. Lots of things to keep in mind, from Amy’s customers to minimum order requirements to the range of design styles. I learned a lot in the process!

For those of you in the DC/VA area, you can check out the collection in person at Red Barn Mercantile, located at 1117 King Street in Alexandria. A big thanks to Amy for inviting me to help with such a special project!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

11/14/2013

Quick Pick: Sycamore Street Press Custom Stamps

Sycamore Street Press just launched a brand new new website â€“ congrats Eva and Kirk! And along with the new website come two new gorgeous collections of custom return address and monogram stamps! The first collection, Home on the Range, includes designs inspired by Eva and Kirk’s life in the Utah mountains, with antlers, arrows, and even a bear or two. The second collection, Versailles, includes beautiful floral and botanical details. Every design features Eva’s unique illustrations and hand lettering!

Sycamore Street Press Â

Â Sycamore Street Press

Sycamore Street Press Â

Check out the full collection here!

Photo Credits: Sycamore Street Press

11/14/2013

Pretty Paper in the Office: Note Card Sets

With all the different platforms of communication out there, it’s so easy to send your thoughts or well wishes with a quick tweet or text. Which is why taking the time to handwrite a note can mean as much as what is written inside. Notecards are a great way to express yourself without having to be a wordsmith; they come with just enough room for a little sweet sentiment before sending it on its way. I’ve put together just a few of the many options out there to suit your style and message. – Julie

Pretty Paper in the Office - Notecard Set Round Up

No. 1 Notewriter Set by SuzyJack; No. 2 Season 1 note pack by Anchor Paper Co.; No. 3 Every Occasion notecard set by MogleaÂ viaÂ Anthropologie; No. 4 Dots & Stripes notecard set by Rocket Ink viaÂ LEIF; No. 5 Bow noteset by Sugar Paper; No. 6 Nest Note card set by Sideshow Press

{images via their respective sources}

11/14/2013

Baby Essentials: Books

We love books, so naturally Sophie has a well-stocked library full of both classic kids books and some new favorites. In fact, I should probably go ahead and amend this post with a “Part 1,” because I’m sure this is just the first of many book posts. Sophie is at a stage where she loves to “read” books; she’ll crawl into our laps with a book in hand or grab a book from a nearby stack and start flipping through the pages. Here are a few of the books we’re currently enjoying the most!

1. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? 2. The Gift of Nothing; 3. But Not the Hippopotamus; 4. Good Night, Gorilla; 5. Where the Wild Things Are; 6. That’s Not My Monkey

Sophie recently discovered how to press buttons, so the Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? sound book is probably her most favorite book right now. She seems to love the peacock and zookeeper whistle in particular! If you aren’t already familiar with author Patrick McDonnell, his books are the sweetest things ever. The Gift of Nothing is a pre-Sophie favorite.

Author Sandra Boynton is a prolific writer and we have approximately a zillion of her books, so it was hard to pick a particular favorite. They’re the perfect length for young attention spans and are really fun to read. I’m particularly fond of the twist ending of But Not The Hippopotamus, but we’re equally fond of Doggies, Moo Baa La La La, and the Going to Bed Book. And duh, of course we have Where the Wild Things Are… but seriously? Sophie goes crazy with excitement when we act out the wild rumpus! The happy squeals and grunts are reason enough to read this book over, and over, and over again.

{images via their respective sources}

11/14/2013

Quick Pick: Aerialist Press Foiled Wedding Invitations

Bring on the sparkle! The talented folks behind the Aerialist Press â€“ Alexandra, Craig, and Caitlyn â€“ just released a brand new collection of foil stamped wedding invitations, inspired byÂ a desire for invitations that are tactile, beautiful, and timeless. The Foiled Invitations collection features a range of foil options, from romantic silver and gold to ultramodern black and white. Gorgeous!

To celebrate the new collection, Alexandra is offering Oh So Beautiful Paper readers a 15% discount on the new foil collection! Just use the codeÂ FoiledLove at checkout â€“ the discount is good through January 1, 2014! Thanks Alexandra!

The AeriÂalÂist Press is a memÂber of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more beauÂtiÂful work from the Aerialist PressÂ right here!

Photo Credits: The Aerialist Press / Foiled Invitations