Paper Trail

I absolutely love paper goods. I can spend hours in a stationery store, perusing the aisles of handmade thank you cards, unique notebooks, etc. Of course as technology takes over, these quaint stores are becoming scarcer, and the handwritten card is becoming less and less common. But no less important! I agree with the old-school etiquette rules that require handwritten thank you cards for kind gestures and gifts. But quite ironically, I have terrible handwriting. Fortunately my better half has better, legible penmanship. So we’re OK in that department. Here are some recent paper finds worth checking out if you too adore stationery and the like, or even if you’re just in need of an obligatory b-day card for a relative…

Greenwich Letterpress

This adorable boutique is right in my West Village neighborhood, but of course it has an online counterpart. I especially love the store’s greeting cards (many of which are quite witty and/or sarcastic). And the Letterpress also carries some poignant anniversary and other lovey-dovey cards.

[Greenwich Letterpress Interior]

minted.com

I saw cute ads in bridal mags for this online stationer and decided to give it a shot for our new personalized stationery. I’m so happy I did! Our custom-made note cards came out beautifully. I was able to design the cards online by picking from an assortment of fonts and styles. And the paper quality is excellent.

[Our Personalized Stationery]

Muji

This Japan-based store has an NYC outpost right near my office in SoHo. Just like its products, the store has a clean, crisp feel. This is the place to go if you need to de-clutter and can’t handle the chaos of The Container Store. (Isn’t going to The Container Store when you’re in need of de-cluttering like going to the liquor store when you’re feeling hung-over?) Anyway, Muji has the chicest little notebooks in natural colors, as well as sleek looking binders, picture albums and more.

Sugar Paper

Cupcakes and Cashmere recently featured an adorable card from this Los Angeles stationer. I’ve been clicking through Sugar Paper’s Web site and Pinterest pages and I’m obsessed. I really like their style.

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P.S. hello! Lucky has been recommended to me for save the dates or wedding invitations. The site looks like a great option for more paper goodies!

P.P.S. Check out my new Pinterest board dedicated to all things paper.

(cheesy) chicken soup for the soul

I shamelessly watch certain cheesy chick flicks over and over again. And they’re not necessarily good movies. I’m embarrassed to admit that my rotation has included 27 Dresses, Catch and Release, The Holiday and now… Friends with Kids. I’m obsessed. I watched it for the first time with my BFF Rachel at her beach house. Maybe it was the fabulous and comfy setting, or maybe it was the movie, but I felt uplifted. And now every time I watch it, I just feel good. For some reason, Friends with Kids is like Xanax, or chicken soup. When Justin was away for the weekend and I couldn’t sleep despite dead-bolting the door and checking on "The Manhattan Protector" I watched Friends with Kids On Demand. When I flew to LA and wanted a happy distraction from my awesome newfound fear of flying, I watched Friends with Kids via iTunes. And just in case I get the winter blues, I’ve secured a Netflix DVD of Friends with Kids. (Probably never to be returned… Until of course, I find a new flavor of comforting chick flick.)

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P.S. What do you do to combat the blues? I liked this recent post on Cup of Jo.

Live in the sunshine...

Happy Wellness Wednesday

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For The Conscious Consumer

My friend Lauren recently introduced me to an awesome accessories line: Cuyana. I’m absolutely obsessed! Not only are the brand’s bags, hats, scarves etc. chic and versatile, the pieces are travel-inspired and decidedly made with love. What’s more, creators Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah donate a portion of their proceeds to charity: water. Gallardo and Shah’s mission is to “elevate the fashion industry” – 

1. Timeless Style: We add an unexpected twist to classic fashion by using globally sourced premium materials to design one-of-a-kind accessories.


2. Sustainable Change: We rejuvenate communities by supporting small business, micro-industries, craftsmanship and local water projects.


3. Products with Soul: Each piece celebrates a country’s culture, heritage and its people.                                                                          – Karla Gallardo & Shilpa Shah

This is certainly an accessible cause I can get behind. And I couldn’t agree more with the ladies behind Cuyana…

Shop Consciously,

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P.S. Cuyana’s destinations (and design influences) include India and Peru – two places I’ve visited and loved. I’ll share pics in posts to come.

P.P.S Cuyana’s Argentina line launches TODAY. Check it out! I’ve got my eye on the Evening Bag in Black Leather and the Merino Scarf in Light Grey.

Pack It Up, Pack It In

After traveling for the majority of weekends this summer, I’ve come to some packing epiphanies. I used to despise packing. In the past I would stay up until the wee hours on the night before a trip, trying on every item of clothing I own and sorting each piece into yes, maybe and no piles. This was obviously a painstaking process, and inevitably I would reach a state of delirium and end up packing both the yes and maybe piles anyway and calling it a night. I always over-packed, but there is a better way! Here are my newfound packing realizations/tips.

1. Pack Warm Clothes, Even in the Summer

Whenever we go to the beach for the weekend I’m always cold at night. And trains are iceboxes. Always pack a jacket. Always pack a scarf. Always pack socks.

2. Don’t Unpack and Repack Key Toiletries

This is a huge time saver, especially considering the strict liquid laws for flying. I’ve learned to keep a designated travel toiletries bag, with toiletries already in it. Buying a second set of your essentials is worth the few extra bucks. It saves a lot of time and stress. How tedious is having to squirt face wash into a little plastic “travel size” container?! In my travel bag I keep a small zip-lock of q-tips, a mini Aquafor, a disposable razor, a travel sized shaving cream, a dab of eye makeup remover, shampoo & conditioner samples, a mini toothpaste, a small bottle of face wash, a mini face moisturizer and the smallest body lotion I can get my hands on. 

3. Pick a Color Scheme and Stick to It

I usually pick pieces that match either a black purse or a brown purse. I went with brown (with a strong coral influence) for my most recent trip to Amagansett.

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P.S. I once heard about a woman who kept only white clothes (including under garments) at one home and only black clothes at her second home… That’s one way to streamline your dressing decisions. 

Hamptons 2.0

As I’ve said before, the best time to go to The Hamptons (or anywhere) is September. Justin and I even considered having a September wedding in Montauk before we were seduced by Napa.

Anyway we went to Amagansett last weekend, and I can now share a new and improved guide to The Hamptons.

Best Laid-Back Bar - 

Cyril’s Fish House

Try the bar’s signature drink: the BBC (Banana Baileys Colada). (Thank you for the introduction Jamie!)

Best Lobster Roll - 

Clam Bar

Clam Bar’s street-side locale isn’t quite as appealing as Duryea’s perch on the water, but the food’s better and the ambiance is still enjoyable. The Clam Bar always plays great music, and the lobster roll is perfection. (It’s a lot less dilly than the lobster sandwich at Duryea’s.) Our table was even interviewed by the Travel Channel for a “Beaches” series including a segment on the best lobster roll in The Hamptons. We (genuinely) explained why the Clam Bar has the best lobster roll...

Justin: “They let the lobster do the talking."

Travel Channel: "If the lobster could speak, what would it say?"

Tune into the show next spring for Justin's answer...

Best Coffee Shop - 

Jack’s Stir Brew

This is a no brainer. Jack’s has an Amagansett outpost! And I was finally able to check it out. We biked there, which was lovely. And the coffee shop itself is delightful. It’s larger and more extensive than the one in the West Village, and it has many more food options including delicious homemade oatmeal, as well as a selection of Asher’s packaged goods. I absolutely love their dark chocolate smothered pretzels.

Best Form of Transportation - 

The Hampton Jitney

I’ve always favored trains over buses, but no longer. The Jitney was comfortable enough and the staff even handed out complimentary water bottles and lemonade. And the best part? We were able to avoid Penn Station.

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Love it Want it Buy it

Do you LOVE J. Crew as much as I do? If so, shop online today & tomorrow and receive 30% off final sale items. Just use code LOVEIT.

If you’re like my friend Rachel and in the market for white jeans despite the post Labor Day status, these look great.

I think this polka dot iPhone case is just adorable, or as my step-sister Brittany would say: loverly.

Can't get enough of polka dots? Neither can I. I LOVE this cami.

Shop ‘til you drop!

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