Seasonal Stationery: Mother’s Day, Part 2

I know we’re all a little stunned from yesterday’s events in Boston and holding our loved ones a little tighter right now. I’m not really sure what else to say, so instead I thought I’d share a few more cards from the Mother’s Day card round up. I’m keeping Boston in my thoughts and sending hugs to anyone with friends or family affected by the tragedy.

The Best Mother's Day Cards, Part 3 via Oh So Beautiful Paper

1. Dear Hancock; 2. Rifle Paper Co.; 3. Hello! Lucky; 4. afavorite design; 5. Bubby and Bean Art; 6. Sugar Paper

The Best Mother's Day Cards, Part 4 via Oh So Beautiful Paper

7. Sugar Paper, 8. Happy Penguin Press; 9. Night Owl Paper Goods; 10. In Haus Press; 11. Printerette Press; 12. House That Lars Built; 13. Smudge Ink

{images via their respective sources}

Seasonal Stationery: Mother’s Day Cards

Between our recent move and making plans for the upcoming National Stationery Show, I almost forgot that Mother’s Day is coming up soon! It’s my first time celebrating as a mom, so I guess I should really keep track, huh? Well, today I’m making up for it by rounding up my favorite cards for you!

The Best Mother's Day Cards via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Part 1

1. Egg Press; 2. Moglea; 3. Mr. Boddington’s Studio, 4. Anemone Letterpress; 5. Farewell Paperie, 6. Parrott Design Studio

The Best Mother's Day Cards via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Part 2

7. Maple and Belmont, 8. Bears Eat Berries, 9. Snow and Graham, 10. Sycamore Street Press, 11. Ink Meets Paper, 12. Smock, 13. One Canoe Two

Check out all the available cards in the full Mother’s Day round up right here!

{images via their respective sources}

Catherine + Nick’s Rustic Burlap and Wood Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday everyone! I love starting the week with a gorgeous invitation suite, and this week we have a beautiful and rustic wedding invitation (and save the date!) from the ladies of Atheneum Creative! Melissa and Amy of Atheneum Creative based the design around a custom wreath monogram, incorporating materials like burlap and wood veneer along with a natural color palette to tie everything together.

Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

From Melissa + Amy: We worked with Catherine and Nick on their rustic weekend wedding. We used materials such as wood and burlap and a deep natural color palette to to pull the look together.

Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1) Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

We created a monogram that incorporated a wreath of leaves to introduce the rustic feel and carried it through the day of materials. The invitation is backed with wood and packaged with a printed burlap pocket.

Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

In keeping with the look of the wedding we bought in chalkboards for the buffet signage and designed custom water bottle labels.

Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Given the amount of out of town guests we created a reply card to work with the save the date for an early indication of attendance. We also worked on a welcome package letter that included layered cards hand stitched together.

Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6) Rustic Burlap Wedding Invitations by Atheneum Creative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

So pretty!  Thanks Melissa + Amy!

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

Photo Credits: Chelsea Davis Photography

Friday Happy Hour: The Maximilian Restoration

Tequila is an underrated foundation for a cocktail, and its rich botanicals pair well with St-Germain‘s sweet floral flavors. So here’s a cocktail we whipped up that combines the two into a drink that’s crisp, a little bitter, delicately floral, and perfect for this very brief (but glorious) spring we’re having in DC. – Andrew

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Maximilian Restoration via Oh So Beautiful Paper (17)

Signature Cocktail Recipe Card: The Maximilian Restoration by Caitlin Keegan for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustration by Caitlin Keegan for Oh So Beautiful Paper

The Maximilian Restoration

1 1/2 oz Tequila
1 oz St-Germain
1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
1/4 oz Grapefruit Juice
1 Dash Chocolate Mole Bitters

Combine the tequila, St-Germain, vermouth, juice, and bitters and shake well with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Maximilian Restoration via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Make sure the tequila is either an añejo or a really smooth reposado. A younger blanco tequila risks overwhelming the more subtle flavors of the drink with a major punch of vegetal agave. Don’t overdo the bitters or the grapefruit juice, or the drink will end up a little too bitter.

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Maximilian Restoration via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8) Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Maximilian Restoration via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

We named this cocktail in tribute to another great cocktail, the Maximilian Affair, which combines tequila’s smokey cousin mezcal with St-Germain, bitter-sweet vermouth, and lemon juice. (Sounds like something we should feature on here too…) Our version is a little lighter and more delicate on the botanicals, but I think both are pretty great.

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The Maximilian Restoration via Oh So Beautiful Paper (16)

The name? Well, the Maximilian Affair is named for the French attempt to install Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian von Habsburg as emperor of Mexico in the 1860s (the same conflict that we mark on Cinco de Mayo). Mexico and France, tequila or mezcal and St-Germain, you get the idea. It wasn’t a very good time for Mexico, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the Habsburg dynasty, so enjoy a Maximilian Restoration on one of these gorgeous spring days, while they last!

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

This post is brought to you in collaboration with St-Germain. All content, photos, recipes, and words are our own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone! I know it’s still snowing in some parts of the country (sorry folks), but here in DC spring is in full effect – the cherry blossoms are finally blooming and the sun is shining! We still have so much work to do to get the inside of our house in order, but the gorgeous weather makes me want to get outside and start working on our small garden. I hope you all have fun plans and wish you gorgeous weather this weekend! But in the meantime…

Alexandra Nelson Lettering

Lettering by Alexandra Nelson

…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 on Monday! xoxo