Girlnextblog

There were aisles upon aisles of cards and what not at the National Stationery Show. But there were a few places that made me laugh my a** off. One of those stops was Rabbit Rabbit Cards (sex, sap, and sarcasm). Audra Ann Ricketts is my kinda gal. I totally appreciate her sense of humor. She makes those cards that say the things that you really want to say but don't have the nerve to say. So now you can say it. Visit Rabbit Rabbit Cards to see for yourself.

Here are my favs (but there are so many other favorites):

One of my favorite people in the whole wide world is Nicole Block. Nic is the brilliant designer behind The Nic Studio in New York. I have to say that as far as good people go, Nic is the tops. We have been friends for years but hadn't met face to face until 2010. So funny.

But even more that a great person, Nic is a fabulous designer and illustrator. She has been working night and day on her new stationery line which she debuted at the stationery show. Her new line is fabulous. Even more so because every illustration on each invitation was drawn by Nic. Here are some not so great photos (I have got to get a new camera!!!). But you can see all of her current wares on her web site, The Nic Studio. This collection will launch on her web site some time this month.

The National Stationery Show 2011 was so fabulous. It was wall-to-wall paper. I love paper. As an invitation designer, you have to love paper. So I was in a happy, happy place. Row upon row of fabulous invitations and fab cards to choose from for all of life's special events.

But lo and behold, there was one such company, that was just for the guys. So of course, I had to investigate further. Enter, Forgetful Gentleman. A company started by college pals, Nate and Scott who initially created these gorgeous cigar-turned-gift boxes for themselves and their friends who just cannot seem to remember life's important dates. The two also firmly believed that in this age of text messages, that the written word was dying (So do we!). As with most entrepreneurs, the two realized that these cigars boxes containing this fabulous correspondence system could be marketable. They were right.


Their Elephant Cards are a complete correspondence system that can be used to ensure these special life events do pass you by. To help you to remember, the Correspondence System includes access to personalized email and SMS event reminders through their online calendar management system. So when that day is approaching, he will receive an email and text message to remind him. The cards are called "Elephant Cards" because Nate and Scott believe that "men can sometimes be a little slow to action and need some prodding in the right direction..."


These sets are very masculine, modern and classy. Just how we like our men. There are two lines, letterpress and classic linen. Each cigar box contains the following:

• 12 letterpress or linen cards/envelopes (3 Thank You, 3 Happy Birthday, 2 Thinking of You, 2 Blank Correspondence Cards, 1 Congratulations and 1 Love You).


• Access to online personal event reminder system with customizable email and text message reminders.


• Matching envelopes with postage included with 4.


• Copy of A Forgetful Gentleman's Guide to Articulate Writing.


• 100% cotton paper from the same 15th c. Italian paper mill that produced Napoleon's wedding invitations and Picasso's art paper.

Such a wonderful gift for your guy or his groomsmen. Visit Forgetful Gentleman for more information or to purchase one of their correspondence systems.

I love the Global Weddings line by Fine Day Press. Each invitation set is named and design to give you the feel of the city for which it has been named. Cool, right? Their designs are very unique and would definitely make a statement. See their entire collection on their web site.

Hello!Lucky has been a fav of mine for many years. One of the reasons that I love them is because they create stock invitations that feel custom. Primarily because of their unique designs. They will make a tweak to the color, add a unique font, and you can have your very own custom look. See their destination collection and much more on their web site.

I was sick as a dog a few weeks ago and totally missed the National Stationery Show. I was so disappointed. But I have the booth list and I want to spotlight some of my favorites invitation companies this week. So if you are still looking for your invitations, check out who I think is hot - all this week!

First up is Smock Letterpress. Love them! This was the amazing NSS invitation that they sent to me.



I have been a big fan of Smock for quite some time. Probably because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE letterpress. If you can afford letterpress, do it! For me, it just raises the bar to send your guests an amazing invitation on the crispest of white card stock carefully printed on a fab letterpress machine. Here are some of my favs: