Today I took a field trip — Yes, a field trip!  I went to visit a printer that I meet last year at the Stationery Show to learn about the printing possibilities they offer. As a stationer it’s important to always look for the best products and services for my designs. I called up earlier this week to see if I could come in for a tour of the place. Not only did a get a thorough tour, but Brian, whose grandfather started the printery, educated me on the printing process and the myriad options they offer. Today was what I like to call a “Creative Experience”, which is an experience that ignites my creativity and fuels new ideas. As I walked through the print shop, numerous ideas popped in my mind for invitation designs. I look forward to creating, sending those creations to the printer and seeing those creations manifest into beautiful stationery.

xoxo,

To have a blessed and prosperous 2012! I want to wish all of my clients, friends and family all the best this year. I’m excited for all the new blessing, challenges, surprises, gifts and new friendships that lie ahead for me and House of Papier over the next twelve months.

{Invitation design in honor of Pantone’s color of 2012: Tangerine Tango}

2011 brought many changes to my business. A week before January 2011 I took a huge leap and  finally rented my own office space. One of my goals at that time was to set boundaries between my personal life and my business. I had been working out of my second bedroom home office for four years. It was time to move out and move on. I have now been in my office (which I lovingly refer to as my design studio) for a year and it has made a huge impact on my business and my sanity. It’s helped me learn how to “turn off” when I get home, instead of constantly checking and sending email and working late nights on orders. Conversely, when I’m in my studio I’m in my zone and get so much done. I also love the inspiration it brings and the great conversations I have with clients while discussing invitation designs.

Last year I attended Making Things Happen. It was such an awesome experience and came right on time. It was such a  unique and pleasantly surprising  experience, that it’s hard to explain it to someone who hasn’t attended. If you’re trying to make big things happen in your life I highly recommend attending. Interestingly enough, I went to MTH expecting to learn how to take my business to the next level, but instead I realized that everything I encountered that day was to help me make things happen in my personal life and to spend time working on myself. God always has his own plan in mind! In the summer, I encountered some health problems that had me out of commission for a couple of months, but praise God, I’m health now — and getting even healthier. The biggest lesson I learned was to ALWAYS listen to your body! If something does not feel right, it’s because it isn’t.

In September I went back home to Germany (where I grew up) to visit my family for two weeks. I had such a great time and was so happy to spend time with my mother, step-father, brothers, grandparents and cousins. We spent an eventful week in Berlin and had a blast:

{Me & my mom :: The Brandenburger Tor – Brandenburg Gate, Berlin}

{The Jewish Memorial :: Berlin}

{Fun at Madame Tussauds with my brother, Isaiah :: Berlin}

I’m thankful for 2011 and excited for what’s to come in 2012!

xoxo,

Nobody can make a gown like Kati Stern. This is always my absolute must-see show during every fashion week. Once again, Stern did not disappoint with her S/S12 VENEXIANA Collection. Here are some of my favorite designs. The strapless, emerald green gown with a front bow, is to die for!

From Lincoln Center,

This season the L.A.M.B. show was a presentation instead of a runway show. The great thing about presentations is that you have the opportunity to really get a good look at the clothes instead of them flying by you on the runway. Designer Gwen Stefani always includes here personal style in her designs and the L.A.M.B. S/S12 Collection was no different. The designs can be described as edgy-chic. The ready to wear collection included skirt separates, baby doll dresses,  jumpsuits and menswear inspired pant suits.

Fashionably Yours,

Design duo Mark Badgley and James Mischka presented gorgeous, structured silhouettes in this RTW collection.

Fashionably Yours,

The highly coveted Hervé Léger bandage dress has been kicked up a notch and taken to the next level. I would describe the collection as bad-girl chic. Strategically placed cut out elements make these designs the sexiest yet.  All I can say is, LOVE!

Fashionably Yours,

Can you say color, color, color? Nanette Lapore’s Spring/Summer collection was full of whimsical yet sophisticated hues. If this is a snapshot of what we’ll be wearing in about 9 months — then I can’t wait!

xoxo,

I first fell in love with Ralph Rucci three years ago at Bryant Park. I was excited to see his couture designs again this season. Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection:

Fashionably Yours,

Vera Wangs S/S12 collection was airy, light and fairytale like. I was struck by the bold, cobalt blue hues and stark, sunshine yellow shades.

Fashionably Yours,

Layers, layers, layers! That is the best way to describe the Nicholas K. show. I have come to love the collections of the brother/sister design team behind this collection, after seeing the show for the first time a year ago. This men’s and women’s collection can best be described as wearable, airy, and comfortable. The inspiration seemed to be a cross between military elements and chic, desert nomad.

The colors ranged from pure, angelic white to charcoal black, with the spectrum in between ranging from light gray, army-green, nudes and desert-tan, steel-gray and blue-gray. As far as accessories go, many of the models donned sheer/metallic scarves in white, silver and gold either wrapped around their head or around the neck. There were a set of models wearing tan open-toe ankle boots that were beyond hot.

Overall, I really loved the collection the designs on both the men and women. They looked so comfortable and effortless, yet were very chic. There were a lot of sheer and see through fabrics in this collection. With the exception of some of the jackets, all of the textiles were airy and definitely gave off the vibe of Spring and Summer. The show closed with a long, sheer, blue maxi dress.

Fashionably Yours,