January 30th, 2012
In my daily wanderings through Wikipedia I managed to stumble upon a quote that perfectly describes my joy for what I do and my never-ending “passion for paper”:
“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”
- Francois-Rene August, Vicomte de Chateaubriand
(4 September 1768 – 4 July 1848)
I am sure other entrepreneurs and creatives like myself stuggle with finding the balance between work and play. But rather than struggle against what the world says we should be, why don’t we just call it like it is? Fabulous luck. We’re lucky to love what we do as a profession and we should be grateful we still find the passion to create each and every day. I, for one, find tremendous pleasure and personal reward in working constantly and at a frenetic pace! Sure, I’m human and need a trip to the tropics every so often to recharge my batteries, but working with all-things paper, graphic design and stationery is a gift that keeps on giving.
Everyone should be so lucky. With love, Carolyn Brandhorst (Owner & Creative Director of The Papery)
Tags: Philadelphia Gift Stores, Philadelphia Weddings, Quotes, Romanticism, Stationers
Posted in Life in General, Paper + passion | No Comments »
January 24th, 2012
We’re excited to participate in the “Love is in the Air” event again this year!
On February 23, 2012, we invite you to join Tiffany & Co., Stephen Starr Events & Uncommon Events for an evening of sophisticated wedding inspiration! Some of the Philadelphia area’s best wedding professionals will be on hand to discuss what they do, the new wedding trends for 2012 and more! Wedding vendors such as Tiffany & Co., Bridals by Danielle, Maggpie Vintage Furniture Rentals, Stephen Starr Events, Uncommen Events, CinemaCake Wedding Films, Beke Beau Makeup, Eventions Lighting, Black Tie Formalwear, Whipped Bakeshop, Signature DJs, Phil Kramer Photography and more. It truly is the best Winter Bridal Event in the City of Brotherly Love!
BY INVITATION ONLY. Please contact Melissa@UncommonEvents.net if you are interested in attending. We’d love to see you there!
Posted in Events, Weddings | No Comments »
January 12th, 2012
 c Our “Valentine Diva” is all decked out and ready to celebrate the month of LOVE. Are you?
With Valentine’s Day just two weeks away, it’s time to get your heart in the right place! Swing by to get all your sweetheart or loved one a Valentine’s Day card and gift. We’re talking to both men and women, here, everyone needs a little love and appreciation on Valentine’s Day! The store is filled with festive gift items such as fragrant home candles, desk calendars, soaps and sweet treats for that special someone!
We’re open everyday, so there’s no excuse!
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00am to 7:00pm;
- Wednesday, 11:00am to 8:00pm (for the late crowd);
- Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm; and
- Sunday Noon-5:00pm.
Tags: Philadelphia Card Stores, Philadelphia Gift Stores, Stationery Stores, Valentine's Day
Posted in Holidays | No Comments »
January 1st, 2012
We’re winding down from an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G year at The Papery and we look forward to what 2012 has in store for us! Thank you to all our clients, colleagues, partners and fans for their continued support and patronage throughout 2011! We love what we do here at The Papery and look forward to sharing many more celebrations with you all in the New Year!
Cheers!
Tags: Gratitude, Holidays, New Year's, Philadelphia Gift Stores, Philadelphia Wedding
Posted in Life in General | No Comments »
December 21st, 2011
For you last minute holiday shoppers! Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered with plenty of gift items, festive gift wrap, bows, ribbon, cocktail napkins, delicious sweets and Christmas cards. Need a stocking stuffer or hostess gift? Stop in today for holiday ornaments, scented candles, stuffed animals, baby blankets, 2012 calendars, personal note cards, boxed stationery, holiday cupcake making kits, frames, Hanukkah supplies and countless decorative items and playful gifts. So no worries, you’ll find the perfect little holiday treats right here at The Papery!
Tags: Hanukkah Gifts, Holiday Gifts, Last Minute Shopping, Philadelphia Gift Stores, Stocking Stuffers
Posted in Baby, Gifts, Holidays | No Comments »
December 8th, 2011
As I sit down to address my own large pile of holiday cards, it occurs to me, what should I say? Should I be funny, sentimental, or simply autograph the darn thing?
Seriously, why are holiday card messages so difficult to write? There’s so much pressure to be witty, emotional and creative. Or, lengthy! Usually, I tend to focus on being thankful, grateful, extending wishes of good cheer and wishes for a Happy New Year. I find Christmas or holiday card greetings are the ideal spot to reflect, encourage, thank or send warm wishes to those we don’t regularly see. For many of the cards I’ll write this year, I’ll be including specific greetings that update long-distance friends or family on what’s happening in my little corner of the world. However, for many other holiday cards; a short, meaningful message will be written.
Below you’ll find a list of holiday card greetings you may find useful as you write your own holiday cards. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to write your own Christmas card signature message!
HOLIDAY CARD MESSAGES
- “Hoping you are surrounded by love and warmth this holiday season.”
- “May the magic of love twinkle in your lives throughout the holiday season and the upcoming new year.”
- “We wish you health, comfort and prosperity this holiday season.”
- “May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you with joy this Christmas.”
- “Christmas is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”
- “May your home be filled with the joy of family and friends this holiday season.”
- “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!”
- “Wishing you a festive holiday season and New Year!”
- “We thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with you this year. We wish you a Happy Hanukkah and a New Year filled with all good things.”
- “Heartfelt greetings and bountiful blessings to you and yours this holiday season.”
- “Christmas is not a date. It’s a state of mind.”
- “Hope the holidays bring you many reasons to smile.”
- “Wishing you good times, good cheer and a Happy New Year!”
- “May your holidays sparkle and shine with good cheer!”
- “Wishing you the joy of family, the happiness of friends and the love of Christmas!”
- “Write it on your heart: That every day is the best day of the year. Happy New Year!”
- “May the peace and beauty of the season remain with you throughout the coming year.”
- “The year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to you season’s greetings and good wishes. May your holidays and New Year be filled with much happiness!”
- “May your holidays be merry and bright!”
- “At this joyous time of year, we are grateful for our work with you. We wish you abundance, happiness and peace in a New Year filled with hope. Happy Holidays!”
As you know, it can take some time, thought and care to send out holiday cards. So, if you receive a holiday card it is always thoughtful to graciously acknowledge you have received it. Either by sending your own card or by mentioning it in person. Now, turn on that holiday music, pour yourself a tall glass of eggnog, and go tackle that pile of cards! Happy Holidays!
Tags: Greeting Card Messages, Holiday Card Messages, Holiday Cards, Seasonal Greetings
Posted in Holidays | 1 Comment »
November 22nd, 2011
Like the rest of the world around me, I lead a busy life. As a wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend and entrepreneur. But no matter how crazed I am, and I can get downright manic, I’m never too busy to look around me at the wonderful family with whom I share my life. To say that I’m grateful, while completely accurate, is just simply not enough. Words tend to fail me. Particularly when I know that unlike many around me, I get to spend time with my mother, Mary Lou, as well as HER mother, my Grandma Lena. I know, I know. Perhaps the words LUCKY, FORTUNATE, BLESSED should readily come to mind. But trust me, they do. And not just because it’s Thanksgiving week. I know I’m lucky to have two generations of women to share the trials and tribulations of life with, the absurdness of it all and the beauty each day brings. It’s a luxury I don’t take lightly year-round. I’m so BLESSED to hear their stories, GRATEFUL to learn from their mistakes and FORTUNATE to share their love of food and family. Not to mention, hearing my Grandma Lena talk about my mother, sharing a laugh with her about one of the men in the family, or just getting to watch my mom and grandma cook dinner together. It’s the little things that matter. And it’s truly a gift I TREASURE.
So this summer, when my Grandma celebrated her 99th birthday, it just had to be fabulous! I mean, come on, her 99th birthday! Isn’t that incredible? Entertaining is a family sport, passed on enthusiastically from generation to generation, and when it came down to celebrating Lena’s birthday, well, it had to be GOOD. And by “good” I mean good old fashioned backyard fun! My mother and I pulled out all the stops for a summertime family celebration for Lena.
Trees were filled with bright red paper pom poms, glass vases were filled with her favorite white flowers, white table clothes were layered with butcher paper runners, red-stitched dish towels became festive napkins tied with bakery twine, and tiny white pails filled with whole cherries became take-home party favors.
A serve-yourself homemade lemonade station was set up on an old wooden table we pulled from the house, and if you wanted to add a little Prosecco to your lemonade, that wasn’t a problem for Lena! and then there was the food, lots and lots of it! (We’re Italian, of course there was a crazy spread of delicious food!)
Mini Cherry Cupcakes and a delicious Cherry Birthday Cake! The perfect little sweet somethings for the summer birthday party!
My grandma was so overwhelmed by all the family and friends who came to see her on her birthday, she just kept hugging my mother and thanking her for her thoughtfulness. We love you Lena, and we’re GRATEFUL to share your table.
Tags: Birthdays, My Family, My Life, Party Favors
Posted in Events, Life in General | 1 Comment »
October 26th, 2011
Awww, chalkboard art! From ghoulish signs announcing Halloween to vintage-inspired bar menus for stylish weddings; our custom-designed chalkboard signs are works of art every party host will love! Our talented artists collaborate with the client, caterer, wedding planner or event designer to determine the information to be shared on the chalkboard as well as the overall design concept for the piece itself. Charming and practical, these playful signs are yet another delightful design element to consider for your event.
{Above photo: Mel Barlow; Evantine Design}
Tags: Chalkboard Signs, Menus, Philadelphia Party Planning, Wedding Details
Posted in Events, Holidays, Weddings | No Comments »
October 14th, 2011
It’s time for the third annual Old City Window Design Contest!
The Old City Windows Design Contest 2011 is a design-inspired window competition and event that celebrates innovative thinking and visual inspiration from students, artists, and professionals in various fields of design.
Last year, we one the award for “Public Favorite” for our seasonal display of leafy cutouts and haunting owls. This year, we’re embracing the whimsical with a window planted with paper pinwheel flowers! Brightly colored pinwheels were made using wrapping paper we sell in the store, then “planted” on twigs in window boxes lined with finely shredded paper “grass.” Fans keep the pinwheels twirling for a windy wall of movement. Garlands of calligraphed paper clouds float above underneath pinecone drops. Sound interesting? Well it is! Stop by and take a look!
The contest runs through October 23 and we’d LOVE YOUR VOTE! You can also read more about the contest and see photos of last year’s winners by clicking HERE.
Tags: Community, Design Contests, Kids Parties, Old City Business Collective, Party Favors, Philadelphia Weddings
Posted in Events, Holidays | No Comments »
|
