Austin Press at Anthro!

I received an email from Kimberly over at Austin Press this morning announcing that she has a line of monogrammed notecards which are now available at Anthropologie. If you aren't familiar with Austin Press, skip on over to their website. Kimberly uses a vintage letterpress and styles her typeface from antique bookplates. Serious eye orgy for the letterpress obsessed, my friends. The custom invitations are beyond.




Anthropologie does not have the note card set on their website yet, but who can complain about making a trip there? Each letterpressed card comes with a craft paper envelope with the prettiest scalloped edge.

Mercie! The Thank You Note

Often a second thought but most cherished by your guests is the thank you note. I usually hold on to wedding invitations, but that's just part of being in the business. Like most people, though, what I truly cherish is the hand written note from the bride and groom, showing their gratitude for being a part of their special day. People like to feel appreciated, especially for weddings, which can be a big expense for some of your guests. Here are a few letterpress designs that I think really stand out:

If you abide by all of the rules of proper ettiquette, your thank you's should be in note form with your monogram at the top (either your 'couple' monogram or the initial of your last name is acceptable). The old fashioned lettering at Delphine Studios is the jam.

Postal Press's initial notecard is for the more casual couple who still wants to follow all of the rules.

Here are a couple thank you cards that provide plenty of space for your personal message:

This thank you card goes a step further than the rest, with its 'very much' beautifully written across the front of the card on a vintage banner. From Letterpress.

Pretty lime green, aqua, curry and gray mini thank you cards from Two Hand Design are sweet and affordable ($7.50/8).

I love the simplicity of this beautiful 'French Manners' thank you card set, as well as the ample writing space. From Pearl Marmalade.

Igloo Press's pull out thank you card is a classic and elegant design, but the hole punched envelope lines up with the lettering on the inside card, adding a little bit of old fashioned whimsy.

Here is a link to Emily Post's thank you note etiquette. Read it, know it, live by it. Remember, never just sign your name. Be sure to thank your guest for their specific gift.

Also, be sure that if you adhere an adress label, that it and your stamps aren't holiday or season specific. It's one of those nit picky things that some people notice (admittedly, I am one of them). Santa stamps and a snowflake address label in July are a no-no.

Inspired By: Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette; the opulence of excessive wealth. I'll spare you the history lesson and get right to the guts of it. The mention of Marie brings to mind jacquard prints, ostrich hair feathers, pretty pointed shoes, and yes, Laduree.

Dress from Carolina Herrera's Spring 2010 collection; pink ostrich hair feather from Blanche's Place; Irregular Choice shoes from Overstock.

Laduree macarons; petit fours from Sugar Veil.

Vintage French wedding table decor, Brandon Kidd Photography; Vintage floral fan, D Bronson; pink and blue monogram invitation suite from Delphine Press.

Reminder: Ajalon Press Save the Date Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter Ajalon Press's Save the Date Giveaway! Here's the scoop:

During this economic crunch, who doesn't love a good giveaway? To make it even sweeter, a letterpress giveaway! Invitations by Ajalon is giving one lucky winner 100 gorgeous, I mean oh-so-pretty-weak-in-the-knees, save the dates (over a $300 value!). Did I mention they are letterpress? Here's a little look at some of their designs {click image to enlarge}~






How to enter you ask? Simply visit Invitations by Ajalon's blog and tell them how your fella (or you!) popped the question in the comment section. Contest end October 31 so be sure to get your buns over there asap!

I almost forgot- for entering, you'll receive a sample invitation pack valued at $10. Who wouldn't love that?!

Letterpress Save the Date Giveaway

During this economic crunch, who doesn't love a good giveaway? To make it even sweeter, a letterpress giveaway! Invitations by Ajalon is giving one lucky winner 100 gorgeous, I mean oh-so-pretty-weak-in-the-knees, save the dates (over a $300 value!). Did I mention they are letterpress? Here's a little look at some of their designs {click image to enlarge}~






How to enter you ask? Simply visit Invitations by Ajalon's blog and tell them how your fella (or you!) popped the question in the comment section. Contest end October 31 so be sure to get your buns over there asap!

I almost forgot- for entering, you'll receive a sample invitation pack valued at $10. Who wouldn't love that?!

Blog Stalking and Other Adventures

I love this time of year. Getting away with wearing my geeky tartan clothes, soups and stews bubble away on the stove, dog walks in the woods, and football games are a few of the things that make me most happy. Looks as though my blogger friends agree.

{photo from Cassia}

Check out the autumn love and other awesomeness:

Incredible picnic of meat pies, salads, and salt and pepper shaker flower arrangements, from Sunday Suppers;

Pumpkin cream cheese truffle recipe , and my favorite new blog find(talk about an awesome fall wedding favor!);

Fabulous vintage 1930's wedding;

Get in the Halloween spirit here and here and also here;

Stunning rust, gold, and cranberry wedding;

Love story: Dyan, Byrne and wallpaper;

A wedding that proves real men wear floral ties;

Head on over to Design Sponge for swoon worthy photos from Grace's gorgeous diy wedding;

I love me some feathers and flowers to wear from Twigs & Honey;

Love this 8mm video via The Flashdance;

I wish I could do some antique shopping here.

Apple Orchard Wedding Inspiration

Few things to me would be as romantic as a wedding reception in an apple orchard (okay, minus the bees and other issues that may arise from fallen fruit). There is something so innately pleasing about the trees all lined up and the woodsy tone of the landscape flecked with cheerful splashed of red.

{click image to enlarge}

from top left: red & white table awning, Martha; apple cider via Ritzy Bee; apple orchard invitations via frolic!; bicycle from

Letterpress Wedding Invitation Giveaway

Things are moving at a snails pace at casa {bliss} this morning, so I thought now would be a good time to let you in on the best giveaway ever!



Ma Joie is giving away beautiful letterpress invitation suites (50) valued at $700 to one super lucky winner. To enter, see details on their blog.

Inspiration: Goldenrod & Pewter

I was so inspired by Mallory and Josh's wedding that I decided to create a board of my favorite golden yellow and pewter gray images. What a wonderful fall combination. To me, one of the quintessential images of autumn is an antique pitcher with nodding headed sunflowers pouring out of it, which is why this palette works so well this time of year. It also makes for gorgeous letterpress, as shown by the examples below.

{from top left: sock shot, Rebekah Westover; invitation, Bespoke Letterpress; feathered heals, JCrew; ybride with bouquet, Tanja Lippert. 2nd row: table setting, Mimi & Karl; yellow and white silhouette invitation, Swayspace Letterpress; vintage cuff bracelet, Etsy. Bottom row: marigold and pewter stamped seating cards, Martha Stewart; vintage yellow and gray blouse, Bamboo Stereo; gray vest with billy ball boutonniere, Aaron Shintaku; gray bridesmaid dresses, Perfect Bound.}

I Heart Austin Press

While searching for my own personal invitations, I came across Austin Press. The description had me hooked; Fine letterpress ephemera. Located in the historic San Francisco Shipyard, Kimberly Austin creates beautifully crafted ephemera on her vintage presses. Inspired by a collection of rare books and alphabets, AP offers a rich assortment of ready-to-write and custom tailored note cards.
I seriously can't even stand the awesomeness.






I love the vintage yumminess of her letterpress invites. Check out more of Kimberly's gorgeous work here.

Invitation Love: Keegan Meegan

I admit it,I am a print shop wannabe. I would love to work a letterpress machine, do screen printing, and design all day. So, with that love in my heart, I profess that I am smitten with the work of Keegan Meegan from Portland, Oregon. Hand illustrated letterpresses is their love, and it shows! Check out their website for more of their fabulous work. Right now, I'm digging this gorgeous wedding invitation suite, complete with a vintage bike and hand drawn map!

Oldie but Goodie: Anne Benjamin Letterpress

It's been two years and I am still in love with Anne Benjamin's work. Her letterpress designs are absolutely spectacular. This wedding invitation is one of my favorites:




Every detail is gorgeous! Her custom invitations are oh-so vintage but with a modern twist. Take a peek at her website for more drool worthy designs!