Italian Stationery

I think that I've received just about everything that I ordered at the Atlanta Market.  This stationery was one of the new lines that I picked up that I was most excited about.  It, of course, came in to the store last.  It is Italian designed stationery sets.  I ordered 3 different designs and 2 different sizes of each design.  The folders that hold the stationery are as lovely as the stationery sets themselves.   

The inside of the envelopes also have the corresponding pattern printed on them.  They are so pretty and I think they could be used for so many things.  The small size would be great for a brief note, a gift enclosure card or even a place card at a dinner party.  They larger size is perfect for stationery, but also pretty enough for an invitation.  Finally, they are SO well priced (under $15)!

On another note - In honor of Rare Disease Day (which is actually February 28) Hayden Avery is donating 15% of our proceeds from sales on Friday, February 26 & Saturday, February 27 to Beyond Batten Disease Foundation.  Stop in and do some guilt free shopping.  Beyond Batten Disease Foundation has a wonderfully informative website: http://www.beyondbatten.org/

Snow in Austin!

That's right - this was the store this morning!

On Sunday it was in the mid-70's. 

Look at our pansies in the snow. 

This has been a pretty cold winter for us. 

I am so sick of my winter clothes.

I'm ready to move on to my spring clothes.

But we may not see snow for another 10 years. 

But it certainly is pretty to see snow covered roofs. 

The actual snowflakes were huge!

That big blur in the photo is NOT a reflection. 

It is a monster sized snowflake

that actually made it into the photo. 

Galante Tragedy

Today I called one of my favorite vendors, Galante, to ask a question. I know that I say every vendor is my favorite, but literally, I LOVE Galante. They made custom travel bags, make-up bags, linens, baby gifts and anything you could think of to put a monogram on. You could select your own fabrics, trim colors or even send in your own fabrics.

 

I love to send their monogrammed hooded towels as baby gifts.  Also, I've wanted some pillow shams made for my bed, with the monogram made from the Thibaut fabric I used for my table skirt.  But, I think that I've missed my chance... 

When I called today they informed me that on January 20th there was a horrible explosion and fire that burned Galante and all of their belongings basically to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured. As of right now, it does not seem that they will be rebuilding. I'm heartbroken that this institution has suffered this blow.  Many of their employees had worked at Galante for at least 20+ years. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Galante will decide to rebuild.  If they do not, I understand - It would be just a huge undertaking to rebuild a business.  Such a devistating situation. 

The following is a link to an article regarding the explosion: http://www.gcnewsgazette.com/view/full_story/5721316/article-Hardinsburg-reeling-from-explosions--8-alarm-blaze?instance=secondary_news_left_column

New Items Arriving!

These are the Seda France Diffeusers that I have in the store now. They smell SO good and are also very attractive. Even their outer boxes are so pretty. I could tie a ribbon around them and they'd be ready to give as a gift. No wrapping necessary.


Here are just a few of the Pagoda Candles from Seda France that I have in the store right now. I chose them as much for their smell as the colors of their packaging.


I Adore this set of three notepads from Anna Griffin. They are as functional as they are cute (even better they are under $20).

These are just a few of the items that have arrived from some of my Atlanta Market purchases. I look forward to seeing James, my UPS driver, pull up everyday to see what else is new! I'll share more as it arrives.

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!