Spotlight on Fontaine Maury

Last Friday one of our vendors, Fontaine Maury, featured Hayden Avery on their blog. I was very flattered that they asked for photos and to feature us. Because I'm still feeling the love, I thought I would go ahead and spotlight just of few of the things they do (and use some of the photos they did not use).

Fontaine Maury's made great stationery, stickers, stamps, place mats and plates for a while. The plates are a big hit at Hayden Avery. After their initial set of more kid-friendly designs on the plates they came out with some more mature designs, like a Greek-key border. Last year they extended their colorful line to include more gifts. Fontaine Maury now makes personalized mouse pads, clipboards, water bottles, sippy bottles, coasters, trays and luggage tags.

All of these items come in great patterns (like the trellis pattern on the plate and place mat) and personalization options. They are also a great price range, so you can find something for everyone. Check out Fontaine Maury's blog: http://blog.fontainemaury.com/

Custom Monograms by Caroline Brackenridge

Back in October I posted a few pictures of some beautiful stationery that we'd done for a customer of ours. The customer had a women in New York design custom monograms for her family members (click HERE to read that post). Well, months later, I thought I would share just a few of my favorite monograms by this monogram designer, Caroline Brackenridge.

Caroline Brackenridge's company is called Monograms Inc. The monogram possibilities are endless as you can see on Caroline Brackenridge's very thorough website http://www.monograminc.com/. Her fabulous designs are shown on all different items from cocktail napkins, towels and bed linens to match books.

I ADORE this match book and the monogram on it! I guess I should have started this post by explaining how much I love a monogram on just about anything. Caroline Brackenridge's website is my kind of "candy shop".

I think that having to select just one of her monograms for my own linens and personal stationery might possibly be one of the most torturous choices. How could you ever select just one. This is one of those instances where I think I "need" multiple homes so that I could indeed select multiple monograms.

I think that this single letter initial would be very pretty on table linens. I am also drawn to it as blue is my favorite color and these colors would complement my china.

Finally, how fabulous would it be to be able to use your custom monogram on menus at a dinner party. Until I have my own, I'll have to vicariously live through my clients in helping them select ways to use their custom monograms. Indulge yourself today and take a ten minute break (or 30 minutes as in my case) and check out Caroline Brackenridge's wonderful website.

New Things from Atlanta

I had no intention of taking such a hiatus from blogging (sporadic as it is). The store was closed the week between Christmas and New Years. I know that sounds like a nice break, however, I was still here doing inventory. Luckily, I was able to convince my mother to help me. She was a work horse and we got a lot accomplished. Then the days after New Years I was able to convince Dr. Mark (the husband) to help me finish inventory. He was very good too! Last weekend I went to Atlanta to the Gift & Home market. I think I was pretty successful thanks to the assistance of my neighbor, Annie.

Although we currently carry Seda France (an Austin based company) we did not carry the diffeusers. Now we do! Deciding what new scents to get in the candles and diffeusers was much like selecting nail polish colors for me. It is really hard to decide whether to get the ones that have pretty boxes or smell good. Luckily, Seda France really doesn't have any scents I dislike. Because Seda France is in Austin, I got my order yesterday. So we now have a pretty (and colorful) display of new Seda France Candles and Diffeusers.

I also was able to order some more party tubs and party bins from Bungalow. They don't actually make the party tubs and bins anymore - which is a shame, because they are wonderful. The fact that you can fold these up and easily store them in a closet makes them the smartest party tubs. However, I was able to order some of their last ones.

Additionally, I ordered lap top cases & "Trash Cache" from Bungalow - which are in great new colors and patterns. I thought the laptop cases would be great graduation gifts. The "Trash Cache" is just a fun and practical gift. 'Ol Dr. Mark is going to get a "Trash Cache" to replace the laundry basket that he has had since we met (in 2001). Needless to say, after 9+ years his laundry basket isn't looking too good. But in the laundry basket's defense it works hard (as it is Never empty) - Dr. Mark does his own laundry (he does he laundry about as frequently as I blog).

Hope you all are settling into 2010!

A Perfect Christmas Gift

Isn't the wreath on the front door of the store festive looking? Every morning when I pull up to the store those bows make me happy. Yes, I wore bows in my hair when I was little.

So in the midst of helping other people get ready for the Holidays and trying to get my extended family's gifts shipped out, I realize that I really don't have anything for my husband... Luckily for me, he doesn't read my blog - so he doesn't know I don't have anything. You may be thinking - how can you not have anything for your husband, especially since you own a store? It is a good question. However, I always think that I am going to find the "perfect" gift - which may not exist in Hayden Avery. But I don't even know what that perfect gift is this year. Last year it was a golf club. So he may end up with a bunch of random things from Hayden Avery - unless I think of something wonderful quickly. I wish he wanted some monogrammed linens from Galante or new stationery - we would have been set then. I personally would love some monogrammed Galante shams for the pillows on our bed.

Maybe in the new year! I clearly have a case of the wants.

Christmas is Coming?

For weeks I've been telling myself that I need to add another entry to my blog - but time keeps slipping away. Obviously in retail land, this time of year is a little like loony land. I do love when the store is busy. But this time of year makes everyone a little anxious and stressed. We've had these cocktail napkins, by Inviting Co. in the store for the holidays. I think we could all use a little cocktail these days. I'm personally not quite ready for the holidays, but they'll be here whether I'm ready or not. I'm looking forward to the new year to begin ordering spring things - I'll try and keep everyone better posted.

As a side note - all holiday merchandise in Hayden Avery is 40% off right now.

Let the count down begin...

The holidays are in full swing and the cold weather here in Austin certainly helps it feel like the holidays. We are still busy helping clients design their Holiday cards. One of the fun aspects in helping design holiday cards is getting to see our clients' family photos. But this is coming from the person that really enjoys looking at other peoples' Christmas cards - even if I don't know the families. Yes - I am the person that comes to your house and goes through your stack of Christmas cards. I can't help it!

The above card is by Prentiss Douthit and they had some of my very favorite holiday cards this year. One of the more unique things they did was to layer photo paper with both the photo and greeting printed printed on it and mount it on matte card stock. It was a great look, and needless to say, the photos look fabulous. Let me also take a moment to say, Prentiss Douthit's sample photos in their album are also great. Some other vendors are not as thoughtful when selecting sample photos for their albums. I mean have you ever since such cute children?

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What could be more appropriate attire for Thanksgiving Dinner than a Turkey Tie by Vineyard Vines?

What could be a more appropriate sentiment (by Wilbur D. Nesbit):

"Forever on Thanksgiving the heart will find the pathway home"