Paula Deen Paper!

Paula Deen is everywhere you look these days & rightfully so, it's hard not to fall in love with a classy, good-cooking, sweet accented, southern lady. (Just ask my husband.) (kidding.) Today, International Greetings announced a Paula Deen partnership with products launching in May 2010. Although Gray Papier won't be carrying the goods, I looove the idea & Michaels is a regular shopping spot - can't wait to check them out!

A line of Paula Deen-branded stationery and more from International Greetings will hit Michaels stores nationwide in May.

Beside stationery, the range will include recipe cards, organizers, boxes and food containers. It will be available in more than 1,000 Michaels stores. Discussions are under way with other major U.S. retailers.

"I am looking forward to working with International Greetings in designing my signature paper products," says Deen. "I am confident that their reputation for quality and creative goods will result in great products at a good value."

International Greetings is headquartered in Deen's hometown of Savannah, Ga. (Stickin' to her southern roots!)

{Question: do you use recipe cards? or are your cookbooks stuffed with magazine tears, print-outs & crusty folds like mine??}

Apologies for the holiday hiatus!

Life got busy & the 8-5 turned into 8-8, shew!

Wishing you & yours a holiday filled with glimmering lights of laughter, memories & hope.

Holiday Shopping tips for Men

Ladies, does your man need a little assistance in the gift buying department?

Pass along this article featuring my awesome friend Bethany, a Pittsburgh based personal shopper, discussing "Holiday Shopping 101: Tips for Men at a Loss".

Or watch the video!

Doesn't she ROCK?!

{*so proud*}

perfectly anxious

'missing a perfectly good day because she's sure that she should be anxious about something'

It's holiday time! How festive, and fun, and ssstressful!! Between decorating, shopping, wrapping & of course, my favorite - sending out the Christmas cards - there isn't much time to actually enjoy these tasks. It feels like the older I get, the bigger the 'to do' list grows. We leave town in 2 weeks, so that means 1 more weekend to wrap it all up (no pun intended. Or was it?!) We've already crossed a lot off the list, so why is it, when I have a perfectly nice evening to spend with the husb + kitties, I feel like there is something more I should be doing instead of enjoying their snoozing company in front of our pretty tree?

Anyone else have this problem? How do you stay sane during the busy holiday season? do tell.

The quote above comes from one of my favorite product lines - Story People. (If I ever have a store, you can bet this will be the 1st thing in my assortment!) Hang around the blog long enough & you're sure to see more of these. I fell in love with a book of drawings & stories about 11 years ago while browsing with my Mom during her lunch hour in a cute little shop in downtown Jonesborough, TN. Ever since we've been emailing ones we find meaningful. Sometimes funny, sometimes sappy, always sweet.

One more, for your enjoyment :)

'She asked me when the season of joy was supposed to end & I said I didn't really think there was an exact date, so we left the tree up till June that year.'

Thanksgiving!

This year, I'm thankful for being able to spend the weekend with my family in North Carolina - a long time tradition that I've missed out on since we moved to Chicago* 4 years ago. But we've decided to make the 13 hour trek & I know it will be worth it. I love my family dearly; the silliness, the chaos, the laughter - these are the things that make my heart flutter. My favorite piece of this tradition is the mandatory Black Friday shop-a-thon. { all.day.long } You won't find us returning home after doorbusters have ended, we'll be forging ahead, onto the next bargain (and there will be plenty!) Call us crazy, but this is a day full of fun & excitement, more about the fellowship than accomplishment. Some families do football...my family does fashion!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

What traditions do you love? (feel free to comment below, really. no login needed, no real name even!)

*I am also thankful for our wonderful friends in the city that we shared the past 2 Thanksgivings with - the food, fun & fellowship will be missed this year :(

Definitely on my wish list this year…

The L Letterpress by Quickutz

AAAAHHHH. That’s all can say to sum up how excited I am about this nifty new tool! For those of you that don’t share my love of paper & crafting tools (yet) let me fill you in…

Letterpress is a beautiful, old school (and I mean ooold) method of printing. (Can you imagine a time before we could just push a button & ‘voila’ a beautiful creation popped out?!) The technique involves printing words or designs with ink while simultaneously debossing the image into thick, soft paper. (Deboss means indent.) For anyone interested in creating letterpress in the modern century, it was an expensive & intricate process to fiddle with. But the L Letterpress is changing that!

Nothing compares to the look & feel of letterpress, it's luxurious & decadent!

See how pretty:

*Disclaimer: this invitation was not produced on the L Letterpress, it is only shown as an example.This invitation is available for order on www.graypapier.com

Look how easy it is!

Step 1: Place design or text

Step 2: Roll with ink

Step 3: Place paper


Step 4: Squeeeeeze!!

{images via lifestyle crafts}

Next on the wish list... more TIME - - to play with the L!!

The Kharismatic Kardashian girls held a baby shower for pregnant sis Kourtney this weekend in California. Here's the shower invite- what do you think?

Need invites or announcements for someone in your life? go here & here!

Image via People