Are you Ready for Spring and Summer?

This is perfect for the month of July for our 2012 calendars

I cant wait to use these on birthday gift stickers.

This Hydrangea watercolor comes to life with all the beautiful colors.

Another great Hydrangea option.

Royal Reception Preparation: Fit for a Queen

New Candy Bar Wrappers with a Royal Twist!

This might be my new favorite image.

DIY cupcake toppers. Hampton Paper round stickers and paper and sticks from Michael's

These Hershey Kiss stickers have been selling like crazy since we launched them only a week ago! Two orders yesterday, one for a wedding shower and another one for a kids table at the wedding. Great ideas!

We have been busy planning our Royal Reception. Our new royal carriage arrived on Friday. We worked on the party all weekend! This party sounds like a great excuse for me to buy a new dress! More details to follow. Are you planning a royal reception?

Hampton Paper Hershey Bars & Custom Wrappers 25 for $75.00

Hampton Paper Round Stickers 24 for $18.00

Hampton Paper Kiss Stickers 108 for $12.00

They Told Me It Wasn't Possible!

Variety of Ralph Lauren Fabric and Wallpaper options for Thomas' room.

Ralph Lauren Fabric: Rowthorne Crest Admiral

Ralph Lauren Fabric: Tanger Gingham Orange

Ralph Lauren Fabric: Strand Stripe Tiger Lily (why do I love the one that is $200.00 per yard?)

Ralph Lauren Fabric: Saville Stripe Blue - just a total classic!

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper: Colden Oxford Blue

I plan to have this is wallpaper that is oxford fabric hung around the room between the chair rail and crown molding that I will have installed. The photo doesnt do it justice - its so fabulous in person!

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper: Pritchett - Blue Wallpaper - my favorite for the bathroom or maybe below the chair rail in the bedroom

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper:Anderson Stripe Dress Shirt

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper: Laurelton Porcelain Blue - this is on display at the RL Store and it looks like a million bucks on the wall!

Ralph Lauren Wallpaper: Gable Stripe French Blue (Thomas' favorite)

I had a vision for Thomas' new room - blue and orange. Simply because Orange is his favorite color (he wanted Orange to be Jackson's middle name - we went with the more classic option of Louis) and why not incorporate this fun, fresh color! We did Blue and Red with Khaki last time around and it was definitely time for something different. The only problem is that when you look for ideas for rooms for boys, there isn't a lot out there. (huge niche in the market).Those of you with boys know what I am talking about - just because they are boys doesn't mean we will settle for anything less than fabulous!

So, with that said, I began my pursuit of Orange fabric in August. I ran into dead end after dead end, with the head shaking back and forth of the sales ladies in the fabric stores, "no orange, sorry".

Well, they dont know me and my determination. Once I get an idea in my head and want something, really nothing can stand in my way. I was on a mission.

Don't worry, this story has a happy ending. I found not one but two to die for options from my one and only, BFF who NEVER lets me down, Ralph Lauren.

I cant wait to put this together. I will share before and after for you - its gonna be great!

Hampton Paper Featured in Celebrity Style 101

Thanks to Celebrity Style 101 for featuring Hampton Paper in their latest edition. Pick up a copy for a great promo from Hampton Paper and some great wedding hairstyle ideas including a big article on getting ready for the royal wedding. Our feature is only a two pages away... I am not sure if it means anything... I am just saying....

Accessories For Stationery?

Thomas' first Calling Cards work great as gift enclosures

We did these for Tori Spelling's son Liam.

Ballet Slippers for the girls -- so classic.

Fun for girls of all ages!

I love this idea of gift enclosures for grandparents! It makes it easy for them to spoil their grandchildren. (this is very modern day!)

Our best selling Ladybug.

An original image the giraffe - always a good choice!

This is perfect for all the baby showers you attend.

The right accessories can make your entire outfit and the same is true with stationery which is why I love, love, love this new size sticker that is the perfect enhancement to our gift enclosures.

Hampton Paper Gift Enclosures

Unpersonalized 8 cards and 8 envelopes $10.00

Personalized 27 cards and 27 envelopes for $28.00

Round 2 inch stickers 30 for $12.00

Kiss Me!

Anchor's Away!

Wedding or Wedding Shower

Graduation Party: Kindergarten, Middle School, High School or College

Firetruck Party

Earth Day

Princess Party

Baby Shower, Boy or Girl or Boy and Girl!

Baby Shower

Baby Shower or Sip and See Party

I spent a few hours on Sunday working on another new product for the May update. I got totally carried away as I usually do when I work on a new products - imagining so many fun things to do with these stickers.

Think bridal and baby showers, birthday parties for all ages, holidays including St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's.

You can do a theme based sheet and chose 9 images from our collections including "animals", "causes and interests", "garden", gourmet", holiday", nostalgic", nursery", "party", "sassy & sophisticated", "seaside", "sports and hobbies", "themed party" and/or "wedding" .

A special occassion isnt even required. I always have bowl of kisses on my kitchen counter and now I am looking forward to dressing them up a bit. Won't my kids be thrilled to get these in their lunch boxes tomorrow!

Mix and Match - the options are endless.

A Royal Reception

I vividly remember Princess Diana's wedding. I watched in awe as she got out of her horse drawn carriage and we got our first glimpse of her fairy tale dress with it's puffy sleeves and never -ending train. At that moment, my fondest wish was to be a part of that wedding party.

Now, there is another royal wedding just around the corner and I am excited to see if it will have the same magic as Diana's

My friends and I have engaged in detailed discussions about the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. What will she wear? What will he wear? (ok maybe we aren't super interested in what he is wearing!) We know that like Diana before her, whatever Kate wears is sure to have companies clamoring to reproduce her dress. They will start trends (see above mentioned puffy sleeves) that will surely influence the style of weddings for the next few years. I can already hear the chorus of brides to be telling their wedding planners "you know, like Kate and William had..."

Of course we are going to celebrate. Since hotel options are limited in London at this point and camping out in a tent at the park across the street isnt really my style (you know I am not the outdoors type ) we decided to have a Royal Reception! I wouldn't miss the live broadcast (yes I realize that is 4:00 am EST) but we plan to record it so we can toast the happy couple at our own celebration.

Hampton Paper is working on designing an image fit for royalty. Be sure to check out or list of new images in the next few weeks to see what we came up with.

What Are Your Plans for Sunday?

If you are like me, right about now, your interest in your New Year's resolution to eat healthy and lose weight might have lost its luster a bit. I confess that the recent arrival of Girl Scout Cookies hasn't helped at all! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but bathing suit season is not far off especially if you have spring break vacation plans. The warmer weather has me searching my closet for spring clothes and due to my lackluster commitment to my resolution, some things are feeling a bit snug.

There is no better time to take a look at Kathy Kaehler's Sunday Set Up Program. Kathy's plan focuses on eating healthy by choosing the right foods and preparing meals for the week on Sunday.

Kathy's great approach has earned her a huge following that includes celebrities like Jennie Garth, Angie Harmon, Adrianna Costa, Regina King, Tiffani Amber Thiesen, Julie Moran, Rebecca Romijn, The Guncles, Ali Landry and more!

Hampton Paper partnered with Kathy Kaehler to create this exclusive Sunday Set Up Notepad (2 for $24.00) to simplify your shopping. Kathy's plan is the perfect thing to give you a jump start or get you back on track.

Check out Kathy Kaehler's Sunday Set Up. It is featured this week on DailyCandy the Weekend Guide.

I am going to start planning my own Sunday Set Up party. Check back for all the planning details. I will start with my favorite part - creating the guest list!

What's In A Name?

Where do the names for Hampton Paper images come from? The Julia

The Madison

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet says

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

Now, the only reason I remember this was because my 9th grade English teacher at Vestavia Hills High made me memorize this as well as a few other Shakespeare passages including Julius Cesar "Friends, Romans, Countryman". At least I am finding some use for the information.

This brings me to something that has always fascinated me --names of colors and products. From lipstick, to nail polish to paint. The names are an art form in themselves. I sometimes get a good laugh from the name of an OPI nail polish I'm Not Really a Waitress, Peony for your Thoughts and Bubble Bath (my sig color). Lipsticks have great names too Snob, Do Tell and Pretty Please - Paint colors are no exception with names like I've Got The Blues, Gumdrop and French Canvas.

I wish I was as clever when naming the Hampton Paper images. Truth be told my husband usually names them when he adds the images to the collection on line hence names like "fishing" and "fishing caught one". I cannot take responsibility for those!

Two images I did name are the shoes, The Madison and The Julia. Probably not much of a mystery for where the names came from but, The Madison is from one of my all time favorite movies, Splash. Madison you might remember is the name Daryll Hannah gives herself while walking down Madison Avenue with Tom Hanks because her real name cant translate without breaking glass. The Julia is named after the one and only ....my favorite actress of all time Julia Roberts.

Maybe when Hampton Paper hits it big time I will hire someone who's only job is to name the images. Cant wait for that! I should start taking resumes now.

Book Purgatory

What is that tme between ending one book and starting a new one?

Not sure where this book is headed but I am about to find out!

Jodi Picoult's new book -as usually very controversial issues. Love the incorporation of music avail on my ipad with the purchase

A great read. Cant wait to get my hands on the his new book

No boundaries in Wally Lambs books. I still think about random passages in this novel.

Is there such a think as book purgatory? The definition would be when you finish one book and are still wrapped up the characters and you havent started a new one but just dont quite feel ready to let go of the book you were reading yet? Can I coin a new term? That's how I feel after a good book, or any Jodi Picoult for that matter. Still attached even after I have finished the last line.

I felt that way after Elin Hilderbrand's The Castaways. Months later and I am still thinking about those characters! While Jodi Picoult's most recent, Sing You Home wasn't my favorite as the ending was quite predictable which is very "un-picolt like", because of the superior character development I am still thinking about Zoe, Vanessa and Max and Lucy.

I picked up the ever so popular The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo as I am dying to know what all the hype is about. I am on about page 10 and must ask, "Did I pick up the English version?" I am struggling.

Fortunately I have been saved by my good friend Megan who on Saturday said I cant leave her house without Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You. I am on page 31 and have tuned out all Hampton Paper photo shoot prep work to turn this pages of this book. It seems like a cross between Wally Lamb This Much I know is True and Jonathan Franzen The Corrections - totally out there, no boundaries but so intriguing to feel like you are witnessing first hand some one's crazy life 180 degree opposite of yours!

What's on your "to read next" bookshelf?

PS - Cool thing about the new Jodi Picoult is her incorporation of music into the book. For the hardcover version you get a CD. I purchased it on my ipad and there was music I could play associated with each chapter. Very cutting edge and I love the idea.

Before Pictures: The Dining Room

Dining room "before" 2 large sconces on the wall we decided to remove. They are for sale...as is this china cabinet -its lovely but just not quite right for this space. (wait till you see its replacement!)

Aldo getting ready to take down the paper. One large chandelier (also for sale!) will be removed and replaced with 2 smaller ones.

I am so bummed I didnt get good "before" photos of the dinning room. I have been living here for months and I totally forgot! On the morning of Aldo's arrive I raced down to snap a few but Aldo had already gotten to work. I think this is the same day I told him I wanted to repaint the entire kitchen - he probably knew he needed to get right to work!

I will tell you I received mixed reviews on the wallpaper. In the end, I decided it was just a bit dated. The dining room is on the left when you first walk into the house and I just knew it had to be something special that caught your eye and set the tone for what the rest of the house would be like.. full of surprises.

My first choice was to just wallpaper over it ( I am actually a big fan of wallpaper - especially in a big space) but couldn't find anything that I loved. Where has all the good wallpaper gone? If you know of a good resource, please share it with me! The DC Design Center unfortunately doesn't have the inventory it use to and most of the home stores in this area like Home Expo have closed. It's such a sad reflection on the state of the economy.

In the end, we found an alternative and all the fixings to make the dinning room fabulous.

Inspiration photos will be shared tomorrow!

Bringing Paris Home

Kathi Haley from KSH Interiors found inspiration in this photo. So beautiful!

So many great ideas in this book.

We choose to use 2 of these chandeliers by Niemann Weeks for lighting . If you havent see this line before you must check it out. I think offers such a fresh approach to a traditional chandelier and there are just so many options.

A beautiful sample done by artist Bryan King from Artifice Inc. Bryan has done work at many prestigious sites including The US Capitol. Kathi Haley from KSH Interiors and I just loved the quiet movement.

Another sample from Byran King - not quite what we were looking for as its made to be in a panel but again, what a true piece of art!

Kathi and I loved the linen background on this one and decided we should try to incorporate that same look and feel into what we choose to do.

This was the carpet we choose - It's to die for in person as the colors and pattern are magnificent. We decided to use this as the inspiration for the walls in the dining room and make a stencil of one of the designs.

I love, love, love it and cant wait for Matt from Coe & Son to bring it by next Saturday!

This was what we choose for the living room. I had seen it in blue and kept coming back to the simplicity and movement. It is the perfect compliment to the Abusson above.

This carpet was a finalist - the color is that perfect straw not too yellow and not too brown. It's stunning in person. Given the size of the dining room we decided that the one with multiple colors was the way to go.

Painting should be done next week. We will keep you posted on the progress.