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,

Reality star Kim Kardashian and New Jersey Nets Kris Humphries are one step closer to their summer nuptials. Guests of the couple will receive a custom invitation to the wedding designed by Lehr & Black, who also created the wedding invitations for sister Khloe Kardashian’s wedding to L.A. Laker Lamar Odom.

The black and white themed invitation comes in a white gloss box and is flank with wedding details on either side of the gatefolds.

No doubt, Prince William and Princess Kate are House of Papier’s latest Über-Fabulous couple! This morning everyones eyes were fixated on London and the Royal Wedding. The crowds who were gathered on the streets leading up to Westminster Abbey and those of us watching from around the world were mesmerized by the regal opulence of it all. Prince William and Kate Middleton are now joined in holy matrimony and England once again has a princess — and dare I say, so do the rest of us.

Despite the  edginess of McQueen designs it seemed so appropriate that Kate chose an Alexander McQueen wedding gown, designed by Sarah Burton. An ode in memory to an amazing British fashion designer and a couture ”McQueen” fit for a princess who will one day become Queen. Today we were all reminded of fairy tales and probably could not help but think that maybe, just maybe, dreams do come true.

xoxo,

 It seems like just yesterday we rung in the new year. Now here we are four months later — the beginning of springtime. A time of rebirth and New Life! I’ve been working hard in the House of Papier designing our new stationery and invitation collection. Finally the sun is starting to break through the cold grips of winter and its so motivating to hear birds chirping and flowers trying their best to bloom. The awesome thing about nature, is that it does what it’s supposed to do - bloom, grow and flourish! As I reviewed my goals from the first quarter and prioritized my second quarter goals, I was reminded of the things that Fire Me Up to keep me pressing forward. My MTH2011 friends will appreciate this, but I encourage all of you to reach for your goals and don’t give up in accomplishing them!

xoxo,

On a snowy January 26th, 2011,  22 seemingly complete strangers came together in New York City to discover how to Make Things Happen. In preparing for this day I really had no idea what to expect, I just knew from reading past MTH alumni blogs that it was something I had to attend. It was an atmosphere I needed to be in. It wasn’t a conference, or a workshop, it wasn’t a networking event, or an entrepreneur get-together, it wasn’t a meeting or a coaching session………it was an Experience. An experience that can only be expressed and not described. I found myself in a room with people I didn’t know — but yet people who all had the same goal, the same intentions to make something happen in their lives and in their businesses — to make something BIG happen.

That day changed me. It energized me. It focused me. It inspired me. It reminded me that I was on the right path to Making Things Happen with House of Papier. I now have 22 great new friends and accountability partners. Friends who shared so much of themselves and in turn taught me more then they could ever know. They owned it, I owned it, we owned it, and now we’re all the better for it. I can’t wait to look back a year from now and see what has been accomplished. I’m so glad I started today!

What will You Make Happen?

xoxo,

House of Papier’s Über-Fabulous couple, David and Mari recently tied the knot at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niquel in Dana Point, CA. Here are some pictures of the purple silk folio invitations and table numbers we created for them – and of course, pictures of the beautiful bride and groom!

Best Wishes to Mari & David,

Do you remember the swatch watch of the 80′s? Well fast forward to the present and get ready to make room for the new millennium version. Swatch is back and in full effect for 2010. The Swiss company unveiled its New Gent collection tonight in New York. The private launch event was held at the Gansevoort Park Avenue. The new collection boasts bright colors such as gray, blue, green, white, red and black. The event was pack with press, socialites and celebrities. Nikki Reed (Twilight), Jessica White (Sports Illustrated Model) and Chris Brown were just some of the celebrities to grace the scene. Violinist Caitlin Moe had the crowd jumping as she played to the beats spun by DJ Mia Moretti. All in all it was a great night and it’s good to know that a brand we first came to love 20 years ago is back in full effect. I can’t wait to sport my new Black Rebel New Gent Swatch. Learn more about Swatch and the New Gent Collection at: http://www.swatch.com/zz_en/newgent.html. 

Swatch New Gent Collection - www.swatch.com

Missy & Chris Brown

Model Shammah Solomon

Caitlin Moe jamming on the violin

  Check out this video of Caitlin jamming on the violin – she is nothing to play with!

Gift bag from Swatch New Gent Collection

XOXO,

Beckford - The face of the Argyleculture label

Last Thursday, was the grand opening of the new Argyleculture Men’s shop at Macy’s Herald Square. Russell Simmons, the media mogul and designer behind the men’s collection, was at the store in New York to kick-off his five city tour promoting the Argyleculture brand. During the event customers were able to meet and greet with Simmons, gets autographs and purchase clothing from the Fall 2010 collection. New York was the first stop on the five-city Macy’s tour Simmons is taking to promote the  collection. Argyleculture’s Fall 2010 campaign will be unveiled on Monday, October 11, 2010, revealing Tyson Beckford as the face of the label. As the quintessential “urban graduate,” Beckford demonstrates how the collection reflects classic American style with the powerful influence of hip-hop. 

 So, what kind of man is Argyleculture designed for?

“Argyleculture is created for the “urban graduate” – the man over 25 who has “arrived” and is beginning to to fulfill their dreams both personally and professionally. Argyleculture infuses original detailing with buttoned-up styling of men’s professional attire, including suits, argyle vests, zip-up sweaters, plaid oxfords, polos, and denims of different washes.”

 

Argyleculture Fall 2010 - Images from www.globalgrind.com

Simmons is looking forward to connecting with fans and customers at Macy stores in the following cities:

Norfolk, Virginia - Military Circle: Friday October 15, 2010
Brooklyn New York - Green Acres: Saturday, October 23, 2010
Chicago, Illinois – River Oaks Center: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Detroit, Michigan- Northland Center: Friday, October 29, 2010
Atlanta, Georgia- Gallery at South Dekalb: Thursday, November 4, 2010

Here are some pictures from the New York City launch at Macy’s Herald Square that I attended: 

I was interviewing Russell and taking a picture at the same time...always multi-tasking!

Russell Simmons & Ed Lover

America's Next Top Model winner - Jaslene

Simmons checking out his Argyleculture Men's Store at Macy's Herald Square

Fashionably Yours,

Our next Über-Fabulous couple are Dave and Mari. The two met online at Match.com and had their first date two years ago. They quickly fell in love and were engaged in July 2009. The couple’s wedding colors are purple with a hint of silver and ivory. Mari had a general idea of what she was looking for and I worked closely with her to design her dream wedding invitations. The 3-layer invites come in a 5×7 ”Vegas” purple silk folio and include a matching response card and wedding information insert:

The couple will be wed in October at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point California and honeymooning at the St. Regis in Bora Bora in an overwater bungalow.

Working with on this project was so much fun! Here’s what Mari had to say about working with House of Papier:

After meeting and speaking with many invitation consultants, I ultimately selected the House of Papier because of their creativity, integrity, and gorgeous high-quality invitations.  I was impressed by the breadth of the invitation styles and designs in the House of Papier’s portfolio.  I knew that Missy and her team must truly be talented to be able to create so many unique, classy, and gorgeous invitations.

The House of Papier was extremely easy to work with.  I didn’t have a very clear vision for what I wanted with my invitations, but Missy was able to develop a beautiful design for our invitations with the little guidance I provided based on my likes and dislikes. Additionally, Missy was very responsive and was in continuous communication with me throughout the process.  She was also very patient with me even when I changed my mind multiple times.  Although planning a wedding is a very stressful time, Missy’s patience, integrity, and reliability made the invitation process stress-free!

My invitations turned out better than I ever could have imagined.  My guests loved the invitations and I continue to hear feedback that these invitations are one of the most gorgeous and unique invitations that they have ever received.  I highly recommend The House of Papier and will definitely use them again in the future.  Thank you, Missy!

I wish Dave and Mari all the best.

xoxo,