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,

{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,

I would also like to announce a new member of the House of Papier team – Louise Grdovic (pictured below) in her wedding picture. How fitting, since she will be assisting with Wedding invitations and much more.

{Louise Grdovic – Assistant Invitation Designer}

Thank you to all of you who subscribe to the House of Papier blog, follow us on Facebook, and of course I can’t forget my Tweetie Pies on Twitter. Stay tuned for more wonderful things to come in 2010!

House of Papier, LLC
Designer Invitations for Your Fashionable Life!

XOXO,

Wedding gowns, cake, and brides, Oh My! Last night I attended the Wedding Salon in Manhattan at the Roosevelt Hotel and it was quite the experience. I expected to stroll through the ballroom and peruse all the vendor stations while taking time to chit-chat at each booth. Boy was I wrong! The place was packed from wall to wall and you literally had to get in where you fit in. The Wedding Salon was the place to be for all thing bridal. The brides-to-be showed up in droves, all clammering to get the best deals on wedding gowns, cake, invitations, photographers, honeymoons and much more. While there you could get your face made up in the makeup room, listen to a wedding singer and in the ballroom, model brides and grooms were dancing to the music of a wedding band. The ballroom also hosted the reception table design concepts, which I was looking forward to seeing. Most of the designs were beautiful, but some were a little too gaudy for me. Wedding gowns lined the hallways on maniquines while model brides strolled the event wearing designer dresses. The Wedding Salon is held in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Visit thier website at: www.weddingsalon.com for upcoming events. Here are some pictures from the event. View the entire album at: http://houseofpapierllcpicturesvideos.shutterfly.com/

Missy & Sylvia Wienstock {Celebrity Cake Designer}

 Reception Table Design

 Reception Table Design ~ Chanel Inspired

 Reception Table Design ~ Love the Bamboo Menus!

 Loved this Wedding Gown!

XOXO,

So what in the world does fashion have to do with House of Papier and invitations? I’m glad you asked! Simply put, fashion inspires me (See my post from February). The colors, material, embellishments, trimmings all give me ideas for custom invitation designs. A clothing designer creates their clothes in a Fashion House and Missy creates invitations in the House of Papier.

Melissa “Missy” McDowell, Creative Director of House of Papier interviewed for Identity Magazine. Click HERE to read the article.

Of all the networking events and conferences I have attended, this one has been the most valuable. I connected with a variety of business owners who can help me get House of Papier to the next level. One of my favorite speakers was Mike Michalowicz, the author of The Toiletpaper Entrepenuer. Aside from providing excellent strategies for business growth – he is hilarious. I would recommend attending one of his sessions if you ever have the opportunity. As a premium member of Savor the Success I look forward to the journey of growing House of Papier and providing you with the best invitation products and best customer service!

                                                                                                                            ~ Missy

Here are some more pictures from the event

Missy and Donnie of Donnella's Closet - www.dcsbag.com

Missy and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur