Empire State of Mind

I adore the style of the 1930's. Art Deco is just so distinct it is hard to ignore. 

I spotted these wedding invites over on Etsy a while ago, but just got around to posting them. 

Mind you, this style isn't for everyones wedding. But if you are looking for a very vintage vibe this would be the way to go. 

Ornate. Geometric. Lovely. 

{image cred: Royal Steamline}

Punctuate away, 

Jessie-Lee

Hand Lettered and Letterpressed

What better combination could you ever even try to imagine? Yeah I couldn't come up with one either. I cannot get over these gorgeous invitations I found on Paper Crave this morning.

These are the wedding invitations of Los Angeles graphic designer Satsuki Shibuya (who recently launched Zakka Nouveau a graphic and product design studio). Pretty impressive. For more details about the concept and for more photos, visit the original post over at Paper Crave.

And the colors? I don't care if you are a guy, pink has never looked so grown-up and classic.

{image cred: Satsuki Shibuya / Zakka Nouveau via Paper Crave}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

P.S. Sorry about the light posting the past couple of days. My 9-5 has been pretty hectic and I haven't had the down time I normally do. Oh what we all suffice for a paycheck. I am not giving up on the blogging world, I swear! I am just super busy!

Papillon

I know, I know butterflies are so sixth grade. Don't lie, I know you had the embroidered jeans and the twin set tops decorated with the things. Well I did at any rate, and they were the coolest thing ever!

I have posted about butterflies before, but I promise this is in a much different manner. No butterflies were harmed during the production of these images. It is purely synthetic.

With that said, butterflies have an innate sense of beauty. I think that is why they are seen as treasures. They are also represent the purity involved in transformation. This is why I think they are a perfect theme for a wedding. But, only if it is done right! We all know how corny this theme can get, just think about the wallpaper in your Grandmother's kitchen. Ick!

Well here is how you do it right; cake, dress, invites and bouquet, with class not corny!

These in no way look like Grandma's wallpaper. I think these idea are some great alternatives to some traditional wedding details.

I am really loving that cake. I found a great Etsy shop, BUTTERFLYBAZAAR that provides this particular color way as well as monochromatic ones. And they are very reasonably priced. Just think how much cheaper it would be to get a plain white cake and then add these beauties to it. You could spend the savings on some awesome fillings (mmmmm!).

I also enjoy the idea of this alternative bouquet. Unfortunately my wedding bouquet was lost, along with one of my Mom-Mom's handkerchiefs before we left the venue the next morning. Very, very sad. This type of bouquet doesn't need drying, or preservation, it can stay beautiful in its original form forever! How great of an heirloom piece would that be? Thank goodness for Etsy vendors and idotakeu.

That dress! Enough said. Insanely beautiful. From Luly Yang Couture.

The invites. This is how you do butterflies non-corny. The invite is kept simple and the detail shines in the two tone butterflies. Brilliant! From inkylivie.

{image cred: in order of appearance, 1, 2, 3, 4}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

In the Name of Fashion

So, in case you have been living under a box, it's New York Fashion Week. Iconic. So in light of this overly amazing situation, lets get down to business.

Little did I know, designers actually send out invitations to their shows. I guess that makes sense, you send out show cards for a gallery opening. I guess I just didn't realize. Anyway, it has opened up a whole new door for me. I mean, lets face it. Fashion is design. It is all relevant. And if any of you know me, I am addicted to Project Runway for a reason. It is so inspirational!

Back to the invites. Designers want your attention. Period. It doesn't matter what kind of designer you are, you want someone to notice you. What better way to make a first impression then to send out an invitation in light of the style of your line. Perfect!

Candela

Rachel Antonoff

Style.com

Alice + Olivia

Parkchoonmoo

Can I just tell you how much I adore the first one? I want to design something along those lines. And the feather? Just the greatest touch ever. I love little details like that.

Wouldn't you just love to receive one of these in the mail? I know I would. I might frame it. I am just a little obsessed. As I am sitting at my data entry desk in good old Lynchburg, VA I cannot help but envy those able to attend the shows. I can only imagine what it would be like to be in the same room as some of those designers. The level of creativity is insane. I just want to soak it all up.

So what do you think? Is fashion week a crock for the pretty people? Or would you do anything to be there?

{image cred: Refinery29 via Poppytalk}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Need a Drink?

If you have never had the pleasure of looking over the work of Anna Bond at RIFLE Paper Co. you are really missing out. Talk about talent. Not only does this chick design amazingly well but her illustrations are to die for! I highly recommend looking through her plethora of wedding invites, so sweet!

I spotted this awesome DIY project over at 100 Layer Cake, and it was just too cute to pass up.

This project is featured over on Martha's (yes THE Martha) craft dept. You can not only see more pics, but there is a step by step DIY guide if you want to use this for a party of your own design. 100 Layer Cake also thought it would potentially make some fun save the dates, something to think about.

{image cred: Anna Bond via 100 Layer Cake via the craft dept. via RIFLE blog}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Stamp Your Face

I will be the first to admit, I hated linoleum cutting in school. It was always way too precise and one mistake could ruin it all. Not my thing, at all. But in light of this, I majorly appreciate it when someone can do what I never could.

Lise Grossmann makes the most adorable personalized linoleum cuts in her Etsy shop, lilimandrill. She really gears these works towards bride and grooms to be, because of the personalization element involved with weddings. They really would be such a playful way to personalize invites or envelopes, if that is your thing.

I really enjoy the idea of incorporating something like a stamp, that is different every time you use it, into your personal branding or branding for your wedding. It makes every piece you do personalized in its own little way, like you were taking the time to make it all the more special for that particular recipient.

So what do you think? Would you use it, or is it just a little creepy?

{image cred: Lise Grossmann for lilimandrill via Brooklyn Bride}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Swirly-Do!

During my travels through the world wide web this morning, I found a lovely little letterpress/silkscreen shop in Brooklyn. Well I found it on Sweet June Events, but they are located in Brooklyn from a map sense. Anyway, may I introduce to you lovely readers Golden Rectangle Press!

They are so Great Gatsby aren't they? They are a great take on a vintage invite or save the date. I love the vintage look don't get me wrong, I even used it for my own invitations but sometime I feel like it can be so forced or overly contrived. These are just so refreshing. They scream the whole 30's era while still looking crisp. Oh and might I add I love that font!

What do you think? To vintage or not to vintage on stationery?

Oh, don't forget to check out their Etsy shop!

{image cred: Golden Rectangle Press via Sweet June Events}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Can You Say Ahhhhhmazing?!?

Wow, these are incredible. Bravo Louella Press! Bravo!

This gives me total inspiration for another project! (At least I have a little while on that one) Two of my bestest are getting married sometime in the future and these are very similar colors to what they have chosen. I love the quirky, but graceful elegance of these invites. While I may not be able to reproduce this process, I hope to be able to create something just as vivid and unique for their nuptials. I love these, they really are wonderful, I only hope I can do as great of a job!

Whoa, and NAVY paper! Yeah get out of here with that! Fabulously gorgeous!

{image cred: Louella Press via Paper Crave}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

A Little Inspiration for Being a Little Behind

So, a while back our lovely and most fabulous wedding planner asked me to draft up some save the dates and invites to her yearly Party with a Purpose. She specifically asked for an Eastern Shore theme to include some lovely colors. And to flatter me even more, she wanted them a lot like my very own wedding invitations. Boy did I feel special! But besides all that, I am extremely behind!! She asked me about a month ago and I am thinking I need to draft up something like, yesterday to still be considered for the job. Any who I found some wonderful inspiration today and I thought I would share it with the rest of you!  

I found these over on Nothing but Bonfires, read the full post here. It was a diy project for this bride to be over a year ago. I applaud her efforts! I know mine were complicated enough and I didn't even attempt the thought of envelope liners. They truly are a job well done. I hope she was proud. I would have been!

Just for a little preview I enjoyed this piece of advice from the lovely Holly Burns of Nothing but Bonfires:

"May I give you a piece of advice? I think you'll find it fairly useful. If you are considering becoming engaged, I would suggest that you become engaged to a graphic designer. Sure, a stockbroker might make you rich and a doctor might make you healthy---or at least treat you to a little free liposuction now and then---but a graphic designer? Well, a graphic designer will, when the time comes, make you some really kickass wedding invitations."

Oh it's all about the details! I love the envelope liners and just all of the little touches. This is what I hope to bring her. And might I add, that font is to die for. I am over to Veer now to purchase it! I will keep you updated on the final product, hopefully it won't take too much time.

OK now just to find the time, work is crazy (quarter end = mucho overtime), MBA classes start tomorrow, and I have this job to do. Welcome to the real world self!

{photo cred: Nothing but Bonfires}

Punctuate Away,

Jessie-Lee

Swoon...

Oh the texture, the mismatched patterns, how I wish my whole life could reflect your effortless chicness!

I need to learn to silkscreen. I mean how lovely are these? I am sure The Hubs would loooove the mess that would produce around our place. But just look at these, they are incredibly gorgeous! Envelope liners are an excellent touch, it just lets you know immediately after opening something there is something way prettier to come. Such simple invites and then all the punch in pattern. It reminds me as a designer that not everything needs to be front and center. You can purchase these lovelies on Etsy, via neapolitan.

{image cred: neapolitan}

Punctuate away!

Jessie-Lee