We’ve all been there. We’ve been at events, parties, etc. and have met someone totally fabulous that you want to connect with later on. But who wants to whip out a business card to exchange info? It can be so boring and blah. I’d prefer something with a bit more…style.

That’s why these calling cards by Apiary Design are perfect! The pre-packaged sets are imprintable and available in 3 designs. My favorite is the black and gold version, which is modern and lush. Run your finger over the card and you will appreciate the luxurious raised ink. Your new acquaintance will think you’re so chic if you pull one of these. So, the next time you meet someone, simply scrawl your name and contact info elegantly onto the card, hand it over and say, “Call me!”

Available for $14, the calling cards come in a set for 10 at apiarydesign.com. (Alternatively, you can order custom calling cards, starting at $180.)

Cake & Milk Paperie just introduced yummy new goodies on their site and I just had to share! I’m always stocked with fabulous blank stationery - because you never know when you might need it - and Cake & Milk Paperie always has fantastic options. The adorable Angeline, the designer behind this line, recently told me about her latest addition, the Shimmery Flats.

These gorgeous handmade Shimmery Flats are luxurious to the touch; the 105 lb. metallic-sheened cover in charm bracelet or shimmery aqua is paired with bright envelopes, available in 16 hues like Fresh Grass and Strawberry Jam. “I love the dichotomy of masculine and feminine; our Shimmery Flats are a rectangular block of beautiful, fairy dust-like shimmer,” says Angeline. “It also showcases our love of color, and especially captures our new favorite color combination: grey with citrons.”

So the next time you’re writing a thank you note or need to tuck a card into a gift, reach for these! Setting you back only $6.50, they’re a fantastic deal, and will help make a recipient feel just a little more special (versus the standard Hallmark card). Pick up a box at CakeAndMilkPaperie.com.

You may have already read my rave about the Soap & Paper Factory’s amazing scented beauty products in the first part of my review. Now I’d like to share their covet-worthy home and paper products with you! All of these are available in Soap & Paper’s signature scents and designs: Verbena, Orange Blossom, Rosewood, Green Tea, Fig, and Cinnamon Clove.

Let’s start with the home goods. I love Soap & Paper’s scented candles ($36), made of pure beeswax and hand poured into Italian glass. A cute ribbon is tied around the glass, and the glass is reusable long after the candle has burned out — which will be a long while later, since each burns for 60 hours! The candles are absolutely darling, and the box it comes in is decorated in hand-drawn patterns that depict its scent. Needless to say, I’m already reusing the box! Also for your home, Soap & Paper has made scented drawer papers ($28). Although I’ve seen these kind of papers in various stores, I’ve never really bothered using them. I didn’t see the point of taking the time to paper my drawers with cheesy looking designs and heavily perfumed scents. The Soap & Paper drawer papers are completely different from those you may have seen too–they are printed on recycled paper, and just printed and scented beautifully. Now every time I open my drawers, I smell sweet orange blossoms and get peeks of gorgeously drawn designs.

Soap & Paper has a great collection of paper goods, as well. Ranging in price from $12 to $48, there are collections of wrapping papers, note cards, thank you notes, stationery collections, and scented stationery. The scented stationery even includes a small vial of perfume, which was an unexpected added touch. All of the products have great paper quality and feature unique hand-drawn prints, so they seem super luxe. I’m the type of person who relies a lot on email, but I found myself finding reasons to send hand-written notes to people just so I could use the note cards and stationery.

So if you couldn’t tell already, I’m completely obsessed! You can see for yourself how charming the products are at soapandpaperfactory.com.

I came across these adorable Recipe Cards by Patisserie Cards - and simply fell in love with the concept of them. As one of the bestsellers from the line, designer Heejo Chen actually created the line with this card in mind. “Our tag line is Patisserie Cards - Savor Sweet Thoughts. I wanted tie a sweet message into this concept without being saccharine. - and voila, a set of recipe cards with surprise ingredients,” says Heejo.

Boxed simply with baker’s twine to wrap, this is the perfect accompaniment to a handmade gift. Personally, I would make the recipe - whether it’s the “Thank you very much macaroons” or “Happily ever after cupcakes” - wrap them up prettily, and attach the card. Not only will the recipient enjoy the fruits of your labor, but when they make the delish treats for themselves…they’ll always think of you since they’ll be looking at your card!

Pick a single card up for $4.50 or a set of six for $22 at PatisserieCards.com.

I always feel a lot of guilt post-holiday season, when it turns out that I’ve flaked on sending holiday cards yet again. It just seems like the holidays get underway and in full swing so quickly, they’re over before they even start. But I have finally found the perfect solution. Erin Condren (of Erin Condren Designs) just sent over a package of her gorgeous, personalized Valentine’s Day cards, and I’m smitten. I just love the idea of sending valentines instead of Christmas cards – it reminds me of making those valentine card boxes in grade school, and digging through everyone’s cards at the end of the day to see who gave the best candy.

Choose from a variety of sweet (never corny) versions, like “All you need is love” or “Love the ones you’re with” (my personal fave). Just send Erin the details, and the customized cards will arrive at your doorstep in a little over a week. She even adds in matching envelopes and customized address labels, and delivers them all in a darling, reusable plastic case.

All you have to add are the conversation hearts.

Here’s Part 2 of our guide for the absolute best thank you notes. We’re focusing on 6 brands that will say “Thanks!” in a fabulously fun way:

Linda & Harriett: I bookmarked the Linda & Harriett website for months as a source of fun design - and when I finally saw their paper goods in person, they were that much more impressive. What I love about them is that none of their goods are pretentious — which is ideal for thank you notes. Whether they’re playful or a little more serious, “they all have character” as designer Liz Libré says. The quality of each piece is also superb; each card is letterpressed in Maine on 110 lb. cover weight paper (very thick!). Plus, the prices are quite reasonable, averaging $18 for a set of eight, including a choice in envelope color. My picks? The “Hedgy” notecard is incredibly cute and really, just impossible to resist going “Awww!” over. (more…)

As a follow up to our earlier How To, I put together a guide for the absolute best notes on which to pen your gratitude. I’ve scoured the web, asked for recommendations from friends and family - and yes, I actually looked at pieces from each stationer before writing this guide up. The result? Too many to fit into just one post! So I broke them up into 2 sections. Below is Part 1, which focuses on more classic choices:

Dauphine Press: If you want vintage elegant and understated modernity, Dauphine Press is my recommendation for you. Founded by graphic designer Trish Kinsella (her impressive client list includes Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Gap, among others), Dauphine Press is “committed to preserving the rich legacy of the printing trade through the resurrection of artisan techniques and heritage craftsmanship that might otherwise be lost in time.” One of my favorites is the aqua “Damask” thank you notes ($18), where the oversized damask print is letterpressed onto 100% cotton paper (medium weight). The “Flourish” notes are equally impressive; the peony red print with the pear green envelope is unexpectedly cool. I also love how the print looks almost handwoven or etched. Visit www.dauphinepress.com for more information. (more…)

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are pulling out our stationery supply and a pen for the many thank you notes we’re about to write. But what to say and how to say it? We asked the experts for their advice - and they answered! We tackle etiquette, card types, and more. After finishing this How To, you’ll have no problem crafting the perfect thank you note.

Q: When should you send a thank you note?
A: Immédiatement! “The most frequent note writers prefer to mail their letters within a day of an event, while details (and the task itself) are still fresh in their minds,” says Kate Frederic at Dempsey & Carroll. However, if 15 days have gone by…should you send it anyway? Avis Wampler of Avie Designs says, “I think better late than never. The fact that you are sending a handwritten note is a beautifully thoughtful gesture that should not be given up on just because you’re a little late. Send it anyway.”

Q: When must you send a thank you note?
A: There’s no hard and fast rule. Send one when you genuinely appreciate what someone has done on your behalf. Dempsey & Carroll also offer a short guide on their website.

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We just love Whimsy Press here at TDO — their products are great quality and their designs are sophisticated and whimsical. This holiday season, make your gifts stand out under the tree with their unique collection of wrapping paper.

What makes Whimsy wrapping paper so different? It’s truly premium–the paper is thicker and better quality, and the designs are unique and pretty. The Oh So Festive collection (pictured right) is available for $40, featuring 10 sheets of paper and coordinating stickers for each. You can also buy individual sheets for $4.50 each. Be sure to check out whimsypress.com for all the pretty wrapping papers!

P.S. A special discount just for our readers… Enter code “DAILYOBSESSION” at checkout for 25% off your entire purchase through the end of December!

Wow, wow, wow! Everything from Cake & Milk Paperie is obsession-worthy - and after seeing their goods in person, we truly can’t stop gushing about them.

Founder and designer, Angeline Tsao, combined her fashion and tech background to launch her stationery line. Her vintage-inspired line takes “a fresh spin on a trio of old-fashioned arts: clothes-making, printing, and friendship through paper.” All items are made-to-order with acid-free buttercream paper (smooth 80lb cover, 30% recycled total recovered fibers). “I love the constant creativity, cognitive challenges, handcrafting delightful goods one order at a time. Our genre of custom stationery allows me to focus on each individual, since each order spins a wonderful story about them,” notes Angeline.

When our samples arrived, the goods were wrapped gently in colored tissue paper and offset by a contrasting metallic sticker that spells out their tagline: “fresh papergoods made for you.” And that’s only the beginning! (more…)