Paper Goods

If you’re still searching for holiday cards and don’t really want the drugstore’s generic selections, look no further. Linda & Harriett’s holiday card selection has such unique designs and is printed on high quality paper, so that your annual card recipients truly feel like they’re receiving special holiday wishes. Each design is simple, yet lovely, and perfectly reflective of the season. I particularly adore the Christmas Pigs Kissing and the pretty beading on the Trimming card.

You can see the full holiday card selection at lindaandharriett.com. Plus, enter the code FRIENDS to save 20% off your order, now till December 19th! (There is so much to peruse through, so don’t forget to check out their 2009 calendars that I love, too.)

If you’re the type of person who forgets birthdays and occasions, fret no more. GreetQ.com is here to help! At GreetQ.com, you can set up a queue of cards to be sent so that your friends and loved ones know that you haven’t forgotten those important dates. All you have to do is go through the site’s thorough selection of cards (some of my favorite designs above), personalize them with messages, and queue them to be sent at a date of your choice. All done, and perfect for people who mean well, but tend to forget to send cards. It’s a convenient service with a pretty and cute range of designs, as well as brands.

GreetQ has a wide range of cards for every occasion and at reasonable pricing. Plus, if you register with the site, you actually get 3 free personalized cards. I think that would be a great way to try out the site and see how easy it would be to use. Visit GreetQ.com for the full selection of cards available and start your queue now so you’ll never forget again!

It’s a bit scary to think that it’ll be 2009 soon. With the new year comes resolutions and new beginnings, and what better way to start it off than with a charming calendar? I love the Linda & Harriett 2009 Calendar because it’s simple in design, yet so so pretty! The calendar measures 4.5″ by 9″ and is strung by a ribbon so that you can easily hang it. Each page is hand-lettered with a unique, whimsical design that complements the month, like umbrellas for April’s showers and blooms for May’s flowers. Like all of Linda & Harriett’s paper products, the calendar’s paper quality is high.

I plan on hanging mine by my desk in my apartment, but I think the calendar would make a cheery gift for your favorite colleague or friend who is spending way too much time in the office. I can imagine simply tacking it up on your cubicle wall to colorfully brighten your days (and months). The designs are just so cute and charmed, and you can see for yourself at lindaandharriett.com!

Editors’ Note: Today, we’re launching the first of our annual holiday gift guides. We spent many hours sifting through hundreds of products to present you with our favorites in hopes that they will inspire and help you find that perfect gift this season. Make sure to look out for these guides over the next few weeks and hope you enjoy!

This year more than ever, everyone is counting those pennies they’re spending this holiday season. We think that the best trick is to find a gorgeous gift that doesn’t make you cringe when you check the price and pull out the credit card. Having trouble?  Don’t worry…we’ve already scouted six fabulous choices under $25 that will be sure to please the recipient!

ONE. Jill Bliss Flower Mini Journal Set — Know a friend who makes a New Year’s resolution every year to start writing in a journal? Make it easier for her this year to achieve this goal by gifting her this set of blank notebook by Jill Bliss ($15.95). The handcrafted design of these notebooks is so beautiful – very 60’s and reminiscent of Sofia Coppola’s Virgin Suicides – that she’ll feel compelled to carry these around all the time to jot down her best ideas. Its perfect pocket size also won’t take up any extra room in her bag, and the blank pages are the ideal blank canvas for any recessionista with an artsy or writer type friend. - joie (more…)

When I came across Crane’s Search for a Cure Caddy for BCA, I thought it was so fabulous that I had to post about it immediately! Sure I spend most of my time on Facebook, Twitter and GChat but there’s nothing like good, old fashioned handwritten notes or party invites.  This set from Crane’s is sweet and unobtrusive and perfect to use as invitations for anything BCA related you may be planning this month. And of course, true to Crane’s brand, it’s high quality, yet affordable. Check out details at their website.

Liz Libré is the founder and designer behind the fabulous paper goods label, Linda & Harriett. We’re beyond obsessed with their fresh and fun designs, and if you don’t already own something from their line, you need to place an order – stat! Liz is super sweet, gorgeous and talented, with a great eye for all things beautiful; she was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to tell us about her latest obsessions…which we are all obsessing over now, too! (more…)

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.