Mad for Plaid

There's been a plaid movement lately, and all those men's flannel shirts I wouldn't leave the house without in junior high are suddenly back in style...with a twist. 

I love the preppiness of plaid. It can either say yacht club or cowboy trucker. Totally depends on the plaid.

I'm definitely more fond of the yacht club plaid.

{tart paperie preppy plaid invitation and stationery collection, Kelly Monaco via Ethan Miller/Getty Images, boots from Target, throw from Urban Outfitters, Splendid tunic from Neiman Marcus, pumps from Target, plaid upholstered bench from 1st dibs, room via Traditional Home, chair from 1st dibs, wedding pics via Martha Stewart Weddings, Whitney English stationery}

Neiman Marcus Paper Sale

Neiman Marcus is having a paper sale! It's 30% off of their regular prices, plus free shipping with a $200 order. I'm not saying that you should buy $200 worth of paper, but if a pair of shoes were to happen to jump in that shopping bag...

But if you're in Central Louisiana, DEFINITELY go to Invitation Station because they have the same exact brands for the sale prices!

One pagoda, two pagoda, three pagoda four

I love pagodas! So much so that I introduced a red pagoda invite this season -

I know that the chinoiserie look is getting old. Ok, it's getting downright obnoxious. We've got chairs and pillows and chandeliers and pretty much everything a designer can get her hands on. But I still have a special place in my heart for a beautiful pagoda.

Here are a few designs that feature this classic shape that I think might outlast this asian craze:

(from top: Mrs. John L. Strong, Jack and Lulu, Iomoi, Whitney English)

And even though it's not a paper good, I have to throw in Charlotte Moss's logo. I love it.

I heart pink

I noticed after I completed my spring line that I had a exceptional amount of pink.

I haven't always liked pink, though. It's been one of those friendships that develops after you hang out so long you suddenly realize that they're your bestest.

Here are a few of my pink creations this season:

The sad thing is, this is probably only HALF of my pink designs! So I starting to realize that I actually am in love with pink. It looks fabulous with orange, so fancy with black, chinoiserie-esque with red, perfect with brown...and the list goes on. I have decided that in my someday home, I will be painting a room pink.

But for the meantime, in lieu of having an actual address that's NOT the upstairs of my parents, I've collected my imaginary pink stuff. You know, just in case.

{ Breakfast at Tiffany's poster, Annechovie print from etsy, books box from Wisteria, paperweight from Iomoi, peacock feather wastebasket from Layla Grace, moroccan pouf from Serena and Lily, arrow decoupage tray from John Derian, pink storage bench from BNP Discount Furnishings, chest of drawers from Wisteria, pink agate bookends from ebay }

Iomoi = love

I am officially obsessed with this mecca of beautiful inspirations. Iomoi has design goodies ranging from ice buckets to pillows to coasters to stationery. It has such a fabulously distinct look.

Here are a few of my favorites:

They also have online stationery. You can send a sample note for free to a loved one (they have a large free selection to choose from), but beyond that, you have to pay for a membership. I love the concept! Email is so boring. Here is the one I sent to myself:

And, when you go to the website , got to the sale section. They have some pretty juicy stuff in there.

Letterform Designs

I (along with 50 million other people) saw this designer featured on design sponge and fell in love. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her adorable cards. I might buy one of all of them. Click here if you do too.

But my favorite is this roux one. Being from Louisiana, anything that even mentions gumbo is a-ok in my book.

Everybody loves a good polka...

So I have to start out by saying that I hate polka dots. Hate them. One of the first stores that I visited on my selling trips told me that if I didn't have polka dots, then they couldn't buy my line. I decided right then and there that I just wasn't a polka dot kind of girl.

But I have to admit, some of the best designers in the biz have been solving this whole polka dot problem and there has been a polka dot renaissance, if you will. I know that dots are nothing new, but I'm loving the more modern twist these have.

I'm so inspired, I'm going to have to step out of my no-polka dot zone and get me some dots!

Chicago Showroom samples SENT!

I have officially sent my Chicago showroom wall samples to the Daniel Richards showroom in the Merchandise Mart. Tomorrow, I'm bringing my Dallas ones. I can't wait!

After these are off my plate - I only have 50 bazillion more things to do:

Get website rough ideas to my fantastic website designer - Jamie
Design and print brochures
Make price lists
Figure out pricing levels at the press for different printing quantities
Design and order new packaging labels
Order more A2 clear packages - for stationery and smaller notes
Update my VERY un-updated accounting from last year!
UGH!!!

Plus I need to buy Christmas presents and I haven't talked to my very best friends on the phone in ages!

It's a crazy fun experience, though, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. EVER.

Chrysanthemum Stationery - pick a color, any color!

I'm so in love with this chrysanthemum stationery, but I have 3 color combos that I can't decide between! I'll probably only pick two. Help!