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Showing posts with label pretty paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pretty paper. Show all posts

Summer in San Francisco {Packing List}


I booked my flight to San Francisco this weekend (June 4 — so soon!) and I have been thinking of all the little things I want to pack ever since: notebooks to jot down ideas for blog posts and names of restaurants to try, my iPhone and monogrammed cover to share my adventures with you all, an eco-friendly bag for groceries, stationery for sending letters back east, sunglasses to stay safe in the sun, and of course a darling striped picnic blanket for my days off!

No. 23

It's been a little while since I shared an item on my 101 in 1001 list so I thought I'd return with a simple and sweet resolution today. In my remaining 878 days, I intend to write at least fifty thank you notes. I've already written eight so I'd like to think I'm on my way! Time to invest in some pretty new stationery like these from Mr. Boddington's Studio ;)

For The Soon-To-Be Grad

 When we did the Design Darling Reader Survey a month back, I was surprised to learn that nearly 50% of you are between the ages of 18 and 24, meaning that you're either in college yourself or likely have younger friends and siblings who are.
That's why I'm so excited to introduce you all to my newest sponsor, College Memory Book. It's essentially a blank canvas on which to record the memorable moments of your four years in college, from the friends you made to the parties you attended and everything in between.
It's also a cool way to capture all the things that Facebook doesn't, the day-to-day events you might not have pictures of but that you'd like to remember. Freshman year I attended a lecture by Bill Clinton and I so wish I had written down how moved by his speech I was that day!
I would also use it to make note of major sporting events that I attended. This year Bucknell's basketball team won the Patriot League championship — some of the most fun games I've ever seen!
The College Memory Book features blank templates that you can download and customize with your own anecdotes and pictures so you have space for football tailgates and spring break trips alike! 
The spiral book could also function as a planner for big dates. I always save my past notebooks because I love to look back at what I had on my plate that month! Exciting meetings, fun concerts, stressful assignments that seemed super important at the time...
In short, the College Memory Book is exactly whatever you make it to be — and isn't that true for college itself? The book costs just $25 and I love the idea of using it to catalog your own memories or gifting it to a graduating high school student to keep track of his or her next four years.
How did you (or will you) keep track of your college experience? I would love to hear from you!

Write The Rainbow

I always carry an extra notebook to jot down thoughts as they come to me: blog posts, to do lists, and ideas for the brilliant business I intend to build (once I have my lightbulb moment, that is). These colorful notebooks by Paperthinks are ideal for this habit; they're reasonably priced at $17 and, best of all, they're made of 100% recycled leather. A way to go green but carry pink? Kate's Paperie knows me too well.

The Darling Dani Notes

I'm beyond excited to introduce you to one of my new sponsors for March, the positively darling Dani Notes! If you like affordable, colorful, and custom, you'll love Dani Notes. This Etsy gem is your new go-to for dinner plates, hostess gifts, serving platters, and even monogrammed iPhone cases!
Can you believe these patterned platters are just $34? They're perfect for serving drinks at parties or corralling baubles on your vanity.
I'm imagining family dinners with your last initial monogrammed on every plate or — better yet — a personal monogram for each member of the family! At just $22, these pretty plates could have quite the impact.
Last but not least are Dani's adorable custom cases for iPhone 3G and 4. I can't wait for my turquoise chevron case with its pretty lime green monogram to come in the mail! It's sure to make life as an iPhone user even better.
In addition to offering different patterns and monograms, Dani allows customers to completely customize each design with colors of their choice. Custom colors, preppy products, and reasonable prices — does it get any better? Do stop in at Dani Notes and see for yourself!

Redesign Update

Several of you have asked about the progress of my blog redesign. Well, after a bit of commotion around here, I'm changing the game plan and heading in an exciting new direction. Thanks to a recommendation from the darling Lindsay of The Pursuit of Style (whose new site is nothing short of stunning!), I am beyond thrilled to announce my collaboration with Hanna Nation of Gadabout.
In addition to launching her own iPhone app (genius!) and designing gorgeous custom stationery, Hanna is helping me breathe new life into Design Darling with a new header, new layout, new Twitter page, and my first business cards to boot! I am so excited to be working with her and so anxious to show you what we've got up our sleeves. In the meantime, do peruse her site and treat yourself to some new social paper — aren't her designs to die for?

You've Done It Again

Topping my to do list this time of year is the task of writing thank you notes for all the lovely presents I received! Thankfully (ha!) my dear cousin Chelsea gave me these beautiful Kate Spade thank you notes which makes it that much easier to check off the list. With quips like "you shouldn't have, but I'm so glad you did" and "how did you know?", these newest additions to my stationery collection make saying merci that much merrier. 

Sugar Paper

I'm swooning over the custom stationery in new-to-me Sugar Paper's portfolio. Raspberry envelopes, gold type, polka dot liners, scalloped edges... Design is in the details!

Kathleen Burlew

I do hope you've all had a chance to click over to one of my newest sponsors, Kathleen Burlew Creative. Kathleen is a gifted calligrapher and sells gorgeous custom invitations and stationery. If you have a chance, I recommend stopping by each of my super talented sponsors and seeing what they're up to — they're a very inspiring bunch!

can't get enough {calligraphy}

i know i've already professed my love of calligraphy but seeing new examples of artists' work just makes me so happy. i desperately want to learn!
can any of you do calligraphy? if so, how did you learn? was it tough? tell me everything!

{all calligraphy is by the incredibly talented neither snow spotted on the always inspiring delight by design}

renewed interest

incredibly inspired by these pretty examples of calligraphy. it's on my list of things to learn (right up there with cooking and diving!) but i wouldn't even know where to start. my family will attest that i've always loved practicing my handwriting and my signature, but this would be taking things to a new level.

an investment in my future

...or at least that's what i'm calling it. hot pink envelopes to send out with cover letters and resumes for internship opportunities.
jam paper and envelopes 9" x 12" clasp envelope in ultra fuchsia
searched long and hard for these puppies but i think they're the perfect hue of attention-grabbing-forget-me-not-and-give-me-the-job pink — and they're a bargain at 50 cents each!

stationery lust

i know i'm not the first to blog about the beauty that is mr. boddington's studio but, on the off chance that you've spent your life beneath a large boulder, i thought i would share some of my favorites here anyway.
for the lazy ones who haven't sent out their holiday cards yet:
of course, those who were on their A game this year deserve a little somethin' somethin':

how about some stationery in a fancy navy pattern?
or a more whimsical set in lime and script?
let's not forget this orange and pink number!
these folks seem to have thought of everything: wedding invitations with maps, the most charming patterned envelope liners, monogrammed stamps for your envelopes... i think i'm in love.

p.s. merry christmas to anyone who might be reading!

paper and textiles and teepees, oh my!

i'm inspired by the happy colors of agatha ruiz de la prada's work. from her gorgeous website to her whimsical stationery and textiles, i am in love.