Missing Nora

 Like many of you, I have enjoyed countless of Nora Ephron's movies so I was sad to hear about her passing earlier in the week. My favorite movie was "You've Got Mail". I have quoted that movie over and over and watch it hundreds of times. ( "F-O-X!" " I sell cheap books, so sue me" "152 insights into my soul!")

Coming in a close 2nd is Sleepless in Seatle. We did this adorable Sleepless in Seatle Baby Shower invitation a few years back. My husband wrote the text and its a great one to keep on file!

What' was your favorite Nora Ephron Movie?

Sleepless in Seatle Baby Shower Invitaiton M.F.E.O: Made For Each Other

I cant look at this image in our portfolio without thinking of the following from You've Got Mail

Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.
Joe Fox: You told me.
Kathleen Kelly: They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

Kathleen Kelly: Don't you just love New York in the fall?

---

Joe Fox: Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.

Who could forget these last lines? Jeeze I am tearing up!!!

 

Joe Fox: Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry.
Kathleen Kelly: I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.

 

My Lucky Day

Yesterday I had the unexpected opportunity to  hear author Gary Vaynerchuk speak and get a signed copy of his new book, The Thank You Economy. Yippee! Gary shared some great business tips for those of us running our own business. I loved his recommendation to invest marketing money in our existing clients and to create a "Thank You" organization separte from a "Customer Service" organization. After all, one is proactive and one is reactive right? I hear great things about Gary's first book Crush It. I think th gist is quit your day job and follow your dream...  

Image Inspiration

Happy Monday! I hope everyone's summer has gotten off to a great start. I love this photo I saw of the lighthouse in Fenwick, CT. Its the inspiration for our Hampton Paper lighthouse below.

Turning a House into a Home: New Additions

We welcome with love our new additions. Relief was my reaction when these re-upholstered pieces arrived last Friday. It so stressful wondering how they will turn out and if I would like them and if you are like me, calculating how much it will cost to have them redone if I didn't like them!!!

I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw these coming thru the front door. OMG - totally love. Now I can focus all my attention on stressing about the bedding I ordered for Thomas room.

Wait till you see!

The fabric I used on this chair is Highland Court Jacques Celery.

 Playing "Dress Up" with my furniture and fabric. The Scalamandre Striped Taffeta (90010M-006)fabric on the right is going on a chair in the same room. Its just went into production again. Yippee! I am considering the Kravet , Marais Plaid - Peridot (24916)on the left for pillows for the sofa which wont be ready till August.

Holy Cow! (can you tell what book I just read from that expression?)What a difference this fabric makes on the chairs and the room. Do you remember before it was a dark pink from my old house. This fabric is so fresh and young. Even my husband liked it!
Fabric is Scalamandre Louis Check Green (36333-005)on Creme from The Essentials Collection.

Both Rugs are from Coe & Sons in Bethesda, MD.

A Little Bit of Magic

Do you believe in magic? We at Hampton Paper do! We have gotten a number of request for an image for a party with a Magic theme so we made one! Yep, this image is 2 images we combine to make one with a Magic theme.  We just sent these cards out last week for an upcoming birthday party and I wanted to share it with you as I love the message. So clever! "Thanks for the magic of making presents appear and cake disappear with me for my birthday"

Feeling Nostalgic

I was driving home from the gym on Tuesday evening, on a beautiful June night, one with no humidity which is rare for Washington, DC this time of year and Meatloaf's, Bat out of Hell came on the radio. I was instantly reeled back to 1978. I rolled the windows down, opened the sun roof, cranked up the volume way to high for a woman of my age and sang my little heart out.

The summer of '78 was when my dad introduced my sister and me to this album. We listened to it non stop all summer. It was the tune he turned on the record player (yes, record player, technology wise we weren't even up to the ones that you could stack records at that point!) at 6:15am sharp on Saturday mornings to wake us up to get ready to go to Jones Beach.  By 6:45 we were down in the garage of his Apt on 69th Street in NYC  - piling in his silver BMW - around the block to the deli to get our sandwiches and on the road to Jones Beach by 7:00 am. ( I know total torture) My dad loved the beach and he would only go to Jones Beach # 2 or #6 so we paid the price by hitting the road early. We listened to the album in the car on the Maxwell tape he recorded himself (my dad never bought the pre-made tapes as the quality wasn't up to his standards!) cranked up the volume, all windows rolled down - not a care in the world.

That summer was also the one that I took my first trip to Fire Island. Now before you make a face, back in 1978 Fire Island was a total hot spot and everyone wanted to spend the summer there. Lucky for us, good friends had rented a house for the summer so we were in! One quick ferry ride and I instantly knew what all the fuss was about. My dad introduced Meatloaf to his friends Stuart and Ellen and I remember  standing in the kitchen singing Paradise By the Dashboard Light.

So, on Tues for just a moment I was back in the summer of '78.

 What's the summer song that brings you back to a great summer day of years gone past?

A Note From Mom

I must admit before I had kids I totally didnt appreciate a notepad like this. But now that I am the mother of 2 I see how many notes I write every day and what a time saver it is to have a note pad like the custom one we created for a client below. A few people have seen it and requested one too so we are adding it to the portfolio. Avail on Etsy here. If you like this idea, you are going to love the other two new products we will be launching.

2  40 sheet bound notepads that measure 5 1/2 by  8 1/2 for $48.00

Kristin's Folly

As if I dont already have enough on my plate, I have gotten it into my head I want to own an ice cream truck. It started as an idea for my kids when they get older for a summer job in high school. It seem like a great opportunity for them to get an idea of running a business. I think learning how to be an entrepreneur is a great life lesson. Its such a great opportunity for them to really learn about running  business - buying inventory, making a schedule, pricing, determining profit margins etc etc. So now I am so excited, I dont want to wait till Thomas is in his teens. We are doing some research. Looks like we can get a used truck for about $9,000. Dont be surprised if one day soon we are cruisin your neighborhood!

My sons, Thomas and Jackson and my nephew John Robert with the ice cream truck in the Hamptons over Memorial Day weekend. My brother in law sends him a text when we are in town - the kids think its a coincidence!. So high tech!!

Forty One and.....

Last week was my birthday. I am not ashamed to admit I am 41. Yes, that means I was born in the 70s - 1971 to be exact. I am a Gemini. It usually comes as no surprise to anyone who has met me.  I received a number of notes from my younger friends thanking me for "breaking it in for them". No comment. What I will say to those of you who are younger, 41 is way better than 40. I was filled with incredible dread a few days before 40 but not with 41. (I will admit since 35 I am reluctant for 5/31 to roll around but I perk right back up when the gifts start rolling in!!)

Here are a few of the goodies I received. Maybe some good ideas if you are looking for a gift for a girl woman of a certain age! Aren't I lucky?

One one of my bday cards - so true. I would prefer the LV Train Case for my make up. Just FYI for next year.

Totally love Limoges and bone china  boxes from Tiffany. This one is adorned with great NYC landmarks. 

So this nail polish really deserves a blog of its own. I just discovered it about 2 weeks ago and its AMAZING! Really, my reaction upon trying it was- "Where has this been all my life?"  Apparently my friend just disoveed it too because she gave me "Fast Girls" as a gift which quick dries your nailpolish. Run don't walk to pick this up!!!

Love this new linen Shirt from Calypso

AG Ankle Length Jeans

One of my friends always buys me a great book for my birthday. This year was no exception. I am obsessed with the pics in this book and cant wait to try some of the recipes.

I admit I am bit afraid of candles (we had a fire in our house a few years back not from a candle but still scary) but I was thrilled to get this one which smells incredible Bob's Flower Shoppe by  Trapp - even when its not lit! Also, its my lucky number, 13.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

If you are like me going what feels like 200 MPH 24 by 7 then when you flipped your calendar late last week from May to June then you also like me just realized that Father's Day is gulp only 2 weeks away. Don't despair, we have a number of great ideas!

Our Favorite Images for Dad are:

Guitar, Golf Clubs, Tent, Fishing Caught One, Red Race Car, Martini, Gimlet

and our New Beer Mug

One of my personal favorites - personalized notepads. They make it easy for my dad to write me a note when he sends me things - ie new Music CDs, Newspaper Articles and Money. (ok, he only sends me the firs two items)
In addition to personalizing with your Dad's name, you my consider adding a quote from you Dad. You know, the one he always said to you. (Mine said, "If you have a job, You always have options") hmm true. Other good ideas are a quote from a favorite book or song.  Notepads are 2 (50 sheets each )for 32.00 and can be found here

This is a great gift idea for the Dad who loves to cook, garden or bake! These labels make it easy for him to share his creations with family, friends and neighbors. Cook Book Labels are a good idea too! Some suggestions for text include:
From the Kitchen of ____________
From the Garden of ____________
Baked Especially for you from ____________
_____________'s Homemade Salsa
______________'s Homemade Jam
_________________'s Homemade Zucchini Bread
____________'s Famous Steak Rub

Square Solid Labels are 27 for $18.00 and can be found here

Ohhh so new are our Bridge and Canasta Score Card Notepads. Perfect for the Dad or Grandpa who plays cards. I have no idea how to play either but somewhere I do have a letter from my Grandpa Bill Bendel with detailed instructions on how to play duplicate bridge! Notepads are 2, 40 sheet notepads that measure 5 1/4 by 8 1/2 and can be found here . (if you don't have an etsy account, you can order the regular notepads 2 for $32.00 and just add a note in the comments field you want the score pads, we can send you a complimentary proof)