Very Inviting Paper

Organized Home

2011-10-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Great idea - put a name on each basket for all family members. When you go upstairs, take your things with you!

Source: sewmanyways.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Looks to Love: Apple Picking Essentials

2011-10-20T22:53:00.000-07:00

Spending your weekend outside apple picking is the quintessential Fall activity to enjoy with friends and family. And these classic, cozy and casual pieces make the perfect fashion essentials for enjoying the crisp Fall weather!

No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6

Truly Clean Air

2011-09-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

While a host of air freshener products exist, many contain chemicals that can do more harm than good. If you’re looking for a way to freshen the air without the use of chemicals, give these approaches a try:

Heat cinnamon sticks and cloves or a cut-up lemon in a saucepan of water on the stove.
Place baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in a small dish to absorb odors.
Simmer 1 Tbsp of vinegar with 1 cup of water on the stove to reduce cooking odors.
Keep a bowl of fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
Place an arrangement of dried herbs and flowers on the table.

Halloween is Lurking...

2011-09-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming....halloween is coming! Here are a few of my favorite Halloween images from around the web and also, some items from Very Inviting.

1) countryliving.com; 2) Drink Coasters from Very Inviting Paper, veryinviting.com 3) countryliving.com; 4) Pumpkins from marthastewart.com 5) Reusable Halloween Tote Bags from Very Inviting Paper, veryinviting.com; 6) marthastewart.com

Green Day

2011-09-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Wondering how you can reduce the carbon footprint of you and your guests on your wedding day? Below are a few ideas that can help your day be greener, while still being stylish and uniquely yours.

Choose recycled invitations, thank you cards and place cards.
Use locally grown flowers.
Select an outdoor venue for the ceremony to reduce the need of artificial lighting.
Keep the reception close to the ceremony location for less fuel usage.
Develop a menu of locally and organically grown food.
Decorate with natural products and keep paper or synthetic products to a minimum.
Give guests plantable party favors, such as seed packets that can grow just as your marriage does.

Goodbye Summer

2011-09-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Summer! Hello Fall. Even though I love summer, I love fall also. The colors...well, it stays green in Southern California but around some parts of the country the oranges, yellows and reds can't be beat. A fire in the fireplace, a good book and a little rain. That's a nice fall.

Very Inviting has some great fall items, including back to school bag tags, notebooks, and old school lunch boxes. Stay tuned for those items here. Happy Fall!

Be Like the Sea

2011-08-14T17:35:00.001-07:00

Summer is here and what better way to embrace it than to be like the sea? Always tossing and trying new directions, while keeping a constant current and predictable tide. Today, try something new and different but remember what your constant is. Be creative and honor yourself with some special you time.

Above (clockwise):

Salt Air Hair, Beach Umbrella, Kai Mana, Fisherman's Day Off, In From the Tide, A Lovely Balance

Q&A: Save-the-Dates & RSVPs

2011-07-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Q: I am planning a 50^th birthday bash for my husband. How far in advance should I send out save-the-date cards and then the actual invitations? Since there will be food and drinks served at the party, is it proper to send an RSVP card with the invitation?

A: To help ensure a great celebration, it is always good to give your guests a heads up so they can plan to attend. For more casual affairs (such as birthday, retirement or bachelor parties), a simple notification 6 to 8 weeks prior to the event will suffice. This could come in the form of an email, so you can save the big stationery purchase for the invites themselves instead of having to split the budget among save-the-date cards, invitations and RSVP cards. If a save-the-date has been sent, then invites would go out 3 to 4 weeks before the party. For planning purposes, it is best to have guests RSVP in some form. A phone or email reply would be fine. Or you can opt for a regrets only response where guests contact you only if they do not plan to attend (though this method isn’t recommended if your guest list is comprised of several absent-minded individuals who may forget to call if they cannot attend).

Now, for more formal events such as weddings, a save-the-date card should be mailed 4 to 12 months before the big day. And RSVP cards should always be included with the invitations that go out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.

Inspired By Summer Cocktails

2011-07-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

A cold cocktail, a water view and flip flops are all it takes to keep most people smiling all summer long. From mojitos, margaritas, sangria and berry-infused prosecco, there's nothing not to love about crisp and fruity summer drinks. Mix up something tasty for a casual dinner gathering with friends or get creative with your caterer and create a specialty drink or two for your wedding cocktail spread. Bright and festive cocktails are perfect for every occasion.

{Photo from Food Network.}

{Photos by SMS Photography via Grey Likes Weddings.}

{Photo by Nicole Lee.}

{Photo by Piknik Studios from Weddingbee.}

{Photo from Fine Living.}

The paper chase - The Boston Globe

2010-11-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

The paper chase - The Boston Globe

Excellent article about why writing a handwritten note is so much more meaningful than an email. Happy writing!

Halloween Costumes

2010-10-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Every year we attend a Halloween party to benefit CAAF - Children Affected by Aids Foundation. Jamie Lee Curtis generously gives her time by hosting the event. Last year she was dressed as Mother Nature and handed out flowers to all of the kids. Debby Ryan also made an appearance dressed as a gangster - a very nice gangster!

Halloween at Linda's (con't.)

2010-10-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

I finally made it to Linda's house to see her decorations. Okay, this woman is amazing. She thinks of every detail from floorboards to ceiling. Take a look at just a few (seriously, this is just a few). I can't wait to see the finished product. Yes, that's right...this was just in the beginning stages. I love Halloween!

A bat from the "Bat Cave" in the kitchen.

If you can see them, check out the rats in the mirror!

A raven on a gorgeous pumpkin.

A handmade wreath to welcome guests.

Sunday Soup

2010-10-03T22:14:00.001-07:00

IMG_2464, originally uploaded by Very Inviting Paper.

When fall rolls around (yes, even in sunny Southern California we have fall), I love to spend Sunday evenings with a fire in the fireplace, a little jazz in the background, and soup on the stove.

I recently discovered a wonderful, delicious soup cookbook, called Sunday Soup written by Betty Rosbottom and photographed beautifully by Chris Schiller. It is a marvelous collection of soups for four seasons. Tonight I made the Butternut Squash soup and it was delightful. Yippee for lunch tomorrow!

Halloween Is Lurking Around the Corner

2010-10-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I received this invitation in the mail yesterday from my friend, Linda. How incredibly cute is this? It is a Martha Stewart creation which she found at Grandin Road. Linda throws incredible parties and her Halloween party is supposed to the be the absolute best. I'm trying to talk her into starting her own blog where she can give us all of her secrets and ideas into throwing fabulous parties. Stay tuned for her party - I'll take lots of photos!

Happy Halloween!

Email Thank Yous

2010-09-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

Should you send a thank you via email, text, twitter (ouch, that hurt to write) or handwritten note? Let's go out of order and start with Twitter. I LOVE twitter for it's main purpose: to keep followers informed of what you/your company is up to. Perfect! Easy to use! It is NOT for sending thank yous. To anyone, ever.

Next, text. I love text messaging for it's main purpose: to find out where your husband and kids are after you split up at the beach or shopping mall. Or to let someone know you are a few minutes away. Not necessarily phone call worthy - just a short line will do. "Be right there..." It is NOT for sending thank yous. These type of thank yous take not effort and you don't even have to think about it.

Email. Well, plenty of people do it and I guess some would say it is okay for certain things, and I have to agree. My friend picked my daughter up from camp today and dropped her off at home so that we weren't polluting the earth with two cars going to the same place. Perfect. Send an email thank you. This type of kind gesture doesn't demand a hand written note. There are a whole host of perfectly acceptable situations that allow you to send an email thank you.

Hand Written Note. When should you send a hand written note? A nice dinner, a very nice gesture, flowers, someone goes above and beyond, an interview. When you need to show that you care, you truly appreciate the generosity or someone has done something very nice and thoughtful. A handwritten note shows that you are touched and that you truly care about what they did for you.

What to Include on an Invitation

2010-04-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

When inviting people to a party that you are hosting, there are certain pieces of information that you should give them. Some of the information is obvious, such as when and where. But you would be surprised as to how many people do NOT let their guests know whether they are serving food or not. The guests are left with the question, "should I eat before I go, or not. If not, will there be time to eat after the party ends?"

Here is a simple list of the minimum information to include, in about this order:

1. Why: why are you throwing this party? Just for fun, for a birthday, a get together, etc. Just say so!
2. When: give the date right away so it is obvious and the guest doesn't have to hunt for the date.
3. What time: again, right away under the date so it is easy to find.
4. Where: give as many details as necessary. If the guests know where your house is and are very familiar with it, just list the address or say at Susan & Jim's house. If they need reminding or it is at a different location, give as many details as necessary so they can easily find it.
5. What are you serving: This is a big one! I can't tell you how many times I have been invited to an event or party and wondered what I should do about food. It is also a biggy for the kid's events since they absolutely have to eat. Let the guests know if there are food, appetizers, just drinks, dinner, lunch. Spell it out!
6. RSVP: I know some people don't do this, and I am baffled as to why. RSVP are simple initials for the french phrase, répondez s'il vous plaît, that means please respond. Give them a date to respond by and if they don't, it is okay to call or email them to ask if they will be attending.
7. Other Info: Save any other information that is pertinent, such as where someone is registered, for the bottom of the invite.

Ice Cream Drawing

2010-04-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

My daughter asked if she could draw an ice cream cone for my website. Sometimes the three of us (my 2 daughters and I) draw together and I am usually drawing something for a new product. This is Katie's creation - one of her favorite flavors: mint chocolate chip. One of mine, too! Nice work, Katie!

Handmade Evolution

2010-04-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

Below is a wonderful write up that I received from Amy at Handmade Evolution. Her fantastic blog is all about fashion, decor and all other things handmade. It's really beautiful!

Very Inviting!

March 19, 2010

I got word of a new shop that I had to share! Susan at Very Inviting Paper creates hand drawn and watercolored cards and invitations in her California studio. Check out her shop for playful party invitations, personalized note cards, and more. We’re glad to see that Very Inviting ships to the US, Canada as well as internationally!

Bright, Bold and Beautiful Blog

2010-04-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

Laura Trevey of Bright, Bold, and Beautiful was kind enough to mention Very Inviting Paper in her blog a couple of weeks ago. Thank you, Laura!

Paper Crave

2010-03-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

Below is the write up that I received from the lovely blog, Paper Crave:

Very Inviting Paper

March 17th, 2010

I’m really enjoying the collection of cards and invitations from newly opened paper shop, Very Inviting Paper. They create note cards and invitations for all sorts of occasions — wedding, kids and baby, and everyday note cards, most of which can be personalized for you. Many of the paper goods in the Very Inviting Paper line feature fun illustrations that have been hand drawn and watercolored by Susan, the shop’s owner. Here are just a few of my favorites:

images from Very Inviting Paper

New for Spring

2010-03-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the new items for Spring and Summer! Gift tags, invitations, note cards, and note pads with a ribbon across the card, bright flowers, and everything is personalized. Green and pink, orange and yellow, pink and orange, and pink and yellow. Fun!

Easter Egg Hunt with Brunch

2010-03-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Spring is here...okay, almost. It is only St. Patrick's Day. But Easter is right around the corner so I thought that I would share some fun ideas for an Easter Egg Hunt.

First, here is a cute invitation, perfect for an Egg Hunt. Very spring with greens and pinks and daisies. Invite a number of kids either from the neighborhood or family and try not to invite more than 10. Otherwise it gets too crowded and confusing, especially for the little ones.

Next, plan the hunt. I use plastic eggs in all colors and fill them with small candy and some with loose change. You can also fill them with little trinkets such as rings, bouncy balls, stickers, etc. A good idea might be to make sure there is the same number for each child. When they find, say 10 eggs, they are done. Also fun is to have one grand prize, like a golden egg and fill it with something special, like a dollar.

After the egg hunt, feeding the kids and parents is also a lot of fun. If it is a quiet Saturday or Sunday, offer Mimosas for the parents to sip on while watching the egg hunt. You could also offer Bloody Mary's, especially if it is chilly out. (Photo: Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

For food, serving a small breakfast of finger foods is ideal because it is easy for everyone to mingle and talk while enjoying your yummy food. I like to serve quiche, fruit tray, bagels and cream cheese, mini muffins and carrot cake.

The Lowdown for Busy: serve mimosas - buy champagne and orange juice; purchase frozen quiche or mini quiches from Costco, Trader Joe's, or your local grocery; purchase an already made fruit tray from the grocery store; buy bagels and cream cheese from a local bagel shop such as Noah's, purchase mini muffins at the same place or the grocery store; and purchase a made carrot cake. Also have on hand coffee and hot tea.

The Lowdown for the Adventurous: Make Bloody Mary's from scratch or partial scratch; make a quiche and preslice; prepare a fruit tray using fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe and pineapple; buy bagels with cream cheese and salmon and cut up some red onion and serve capers; make mini muffins in an assortment; make a carrot cake.

Welcome to Very Inviting Paper!

2010-03-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new blog and our new website! We have been working with the wonderful (I can't say enough good things about them...but I will later) people at Aeolidia who designed and coded the new website. Take a look and let me know your thoughts.

Very Inviting Paper is a design and manufacturing shop of fun, stylish stationery products including personalized notes, invitations, announcements, stickers & labels, and gifts. Our blog will feature all things party and paper including recipes and fun ideas for stylish parties throughout the year!