Search Results for: baby

DC Guide: Where to Shop

Molly Jacques DC Guide Illustration Oh So Beautiful Paper1 DC Guide: Where to Drink

Illustration by Molly Jacques for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Confession: I’m actually not a big shopper!  Sure, I make semi-regular visits to our DC-area Anthropologies and J. Crews, but you’re far more likely to find me browsing the garden section of my neighborhood hardware store (Go Frager’s!) than anywhere else.  At first I wasn’t sure what to include in a mini shopping guide for DC, but I figured I’ll just include some of the shops that I love and hope that you enjoy them, too!

Photo Credit: Trohv

Trohv  With locations in Baltimore and DC’s Takoma Park neighborhood, Trohv is pretty much my definition of the perfect store.  Trohv manages to be well curated and still offer a wide selection of beautiful goods, from furniture and home decor to kitchen goods to stationery and gifts (not to mention a ridiculously cute baby + kids section).

Nana  A super-cute boutique in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, Nana carries clothing lines from independent designers along with jewelry and a small selection of vintage clothes.  I love the cute dresses and necklaces!

Crooked Beat Records  I love music and, like handwritten stationery, vinyl has a very special place in my heart.  Crooked Beat in Adams Morgan is my favorite local source for new releases from indie artists and vintage records.

Consignment Shops  DC is sadly lacking in the thrift store department, so I turn to our local consignment shops when I’m looking for a great deal or for something vintage but still chic.  My two favorite consignment stores are Secondi in Dupont Circle (you can find great deals and adorable party dresses!) and Urban Chic on 14th Street.

Furniture Shops  I generally prefer antiques to new furniture, and if you know where to look you can often find a great deal on a fantastic piece.  My favorites include Modern Mobler (specializing in midcentury modern furniture) and Miss Pixie’s Furnishings and Whatnot.  We’re also big fans of the DC Big Flea, which takes place five times a year at the Dulles Expo Center.  You can find anything there, from furniture to antique prints to clothing (it’s also where we get most of our cocktail glasses!).

p.s.  If you love to cook, you’ll love a new shop in Capitol Hill called Sapore.  The entire store is dedicated to specialty oils and vinegars!

Happy News!

You guys, I’m thrilled to share some extra-special news with you today â€“ my husband and I are expecting our first baby!  I’m in my second trimester and we’re due in early October.  I’ll admit, I was really surprised by how tough the first trimester was, at least for me.  Exhaustion and nausea both kicked in right around 6 weeks, which made it really difficult for me to keep up with my normal work schedule and left me unable to eat anything other than crackers (and maybe a little fruit) up until a couple of weeks ago.  But thankfully my energy levels are back up and my appetite is mostly back, so now we’re feeling incredibly happy and excited to embark on this amazing journey!

Photo by me

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  I don’t know if it’s the time of year, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about simplifying – getting back to the things that I really love (and that make me the most happy), and making more time in my daily and weekly routine to enjoy my city and hang out with friends.  This has meant letting go of a few projects and saying no to some other ideas.  I’ve also been on a mission to declutter our apartment, which is a huge challenge for a natural pack rat like me!  As difficult as these things can be, I feel a million pounds lighter with each step.  Do any of you go through stages like this?  Anyway, we have family visiting this weekend and I’m looking forward to exploring more of DC with them.  But in the meantime…

Magnolia garland and tiding wall decal by Shanna Murray

…a few links for your weekend:

  • Gorgeous illustrated notebooks
  • A pretty new print from Christine Wisnieski
  • Yum!
  • A fun DIY project: silkscreened placemats
  • DC-area folks, help Pyramid Atlantic celebrate its 31st birthday this Saturday!
  • Another one just for DC folks – but as a Capitol Hill resident, I’m really excited about this
  • Lynn from Satsuma Press is offering a fantastic deal on her beautiful letterpress calling cards.  Use code 6LSY8L to order 250 two-color calling cards for just $195 (a 40% discount!), or code ZEA68L for 10% off 100 two-color calling cards.  Offers are good through the end of April.

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

As usual, we have a fun cocktail coming up for you this afternoon, so check back a bit later for the recipe!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!  xoxo

Seasonal Stationery: Mother’s Day Cards

Can you guys believe that Mother’s Day is a month away?  This year is flying by – although that also means that my favorite week of the year (the National Stationery Show) is rapidly approaching!  There are a bunch of wonderful cards to help celebrate all of the wonderful moms in our lives, so today we’re starting with just a few of our favorites.

Quill and Fox

Baby Mama by Dude and Chick Thanks, Mom Letterpress Card by Printerette Press

Dude and Chick (left); and Printerette Press (right)

Mom Bouquet by Honizukle

Honizukle

Blooming Mother's Day Card by Rifle Paper Co. 

Rifle Paper Co.

Floret Letterpress

Most Loving Mother by Hammerpress Highest Quality Mother by Hammerpress

Hammerpress

Tabletop Made

mom by Paper + Cup Mother's Day Map by Greenwich Letterpress

Paper + Cup (left); and Greenwich Letterpress (right)

Happy Mother's Day letterpress card by spring olive

 Spring Olive

Mother's Day Toadstools by Wild Horse Press Mother / Daughter by Wild Horse Press

Wild Horse Press

Printable Mother's Day Card Gardena by e.m. papers

e.m. papers

{images via their respective sources}

*e.m. papers is a sponsor of Oh So Beautiful Paper

Classic Monogram Birth Announcements for Baby Rhett

Savannah-based stationer Emily McCarthy of emma j design recently welcomed her first child, an adorable baby boy named Rhett.  For the birth announcements, Emily stayed true to her Southern roots with a sophisticated design featuring a custom pattern and elegant monogram.  I’m absolutely in love with the tiny “Mc” detail in Rhett’s monogram – so cute!

From Emily: Rhett’s birth announcement was inspired by a custom pattern that I designed while planning his nursery.  The pattern was created out of “R”s for Rhett and I wanted to give the hint of a celtic knot keeping true to our Irish heritage.

 

The double-sided announcement features Rhett’s pattern and a photo on the front, while the back displays a custom monogram design that has been used on his stationery as well as embroidered items like linens and clothing.  The announcement and corresponding envelopes were letterpress printed by Steve at Fireside Printing on 100% cotton Crane 220lb Lettra.

Thanks Emily!

Design: emma j design

Letterpress Printing: Fireside Printing

Photo Credits: emma j design