Bendel's Grand Opening Tyson's Galleria

So excited about the opening of Bendel's in Tyson's Galleria. If you haven't read the Bendel Heritage,  and the story, its very interesting and worth checking out!

 

Do you think its a coincidence this girl looks like a taller version of me?

 

Halloween Prep

Love this Halloween gift pack photo sent to me by one of my clients. The boxes are for Rebecca's kindergarten classmates. Adorable!!

 

 

Secret Recipe?

Is the recipe to get your company or product in a magazine a secret? Not anymore. You may recall we wrote that our "secret" to getting on the TODAY show was based on the recommendations from Amy Flurry's new book Recipe For Press. We were excited to learn that Amy has decided to use our recent success tory as an example in her presentation for her roadshow. Here's how easy it was.
Buy Amy's Book + Send New Small Round Stickers to Editor at Hamptons Magazine + Get Featured in Hamptons Magazine + Get call from Jill Martin from The TODAY Show!

 (And yes, if you are wondering if I  do wish I had on makeup and my hair down in this photo but I had just run into Southampton for a few min and was headed to the pool.)

Care for Kids - Save 20%

Hampton Paper Designs is participating in Care for Kids (benefitting Children's National Medical Center) again this year. Save 20% on everything purchased between October 19th and October 28, 2012 . Just send us an email to info@hamptonpaperdesigns.com  with your Care of  Kids number and we will send you the promo code. Here are a few ideas....

 

 

Parent Notepads

Recipe Cards

2013 Calenar

Lunch Box Notes

Thankful Cards

Place Cards

Small Round Stickers

Buddy Cards

Kids Busy Week Calendar

Canasta and Bridge Score Pads

No adjustments on prior purchases.

Holiday Photo Cards

Just shipped a huge Photo Card order with our new Santa Sleigh Image. I totally love it. I want to use it this year too! Photos are being taken on Sunday with Tina from Tina Bazala Photography. Hoping our local CrewCuts has this shirt in stock for my boys. 

 

 

Love at First Sight

I dont know how I had time in August during the "TODAY Show" rush to look at carpets for the basement but some how I found a few spare minutes and spotted these Asmara rugs a The Kellogg Collection. I took these two options home to see what might work best. I must say I loved the red but it was the green version that I really had to have.

I showed my husband and he inquired "Is it Expensive?"

Seriously, we have been married for 15 years. It seems like a silly question.

 I had 4 options on how to respond.

 

1. Lie and reply "No"

2. Ask him to "Define Expensive"

3.  Ask if something is really "expensive" if you love it, use it every day and have it for years?

4. Say,"I'm paying for it, why do you care?"

 

I looked him right in the eye, shook my head left to right and said "No". (then I made sure Kellogg removed the price tag before I brought it home)

 

Anyway, the beautiful rug is lying on our new hardwood floors and waiting for a few upholstered pieces to complete the area.

 

I have found a few great fabric options and am contemplating between a chenille or velvet.

 

Photos are taken w. my ipad on the fly so excuse the clutter......

 

PS. Can you tell what book I am reading based on the questionnaire???? (Gone Girl)

 

checking out the rug with the hardwood floor samples.

My favorites are the green chenile by Duralee in the book on the left (green sample on right) and the dark green velvet by Robert Allen in the book on the right.

Call Me.. Maybe?

We purchased a Sonos sound system for our house over the summer. My 9 year old son has gotten the most use out of it as he is the most adept at using the ipad to play the music. As a result we are subject to listen to "Thomas' Play List" 24 by 7 which consists of about 8-10 songs. By far the one he plays most is "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen.  Thomas puts it on every room + outside and turns the volume all the way up with careless abandon. Just the way it should be when you are young and you cant get enough of your favorite song.

Thomas asked me what was the "Call Me Maybe" of the 70s & 80s. Great question. I was stumped for the 70s. For the 80s, I said, "Jenny, 867-5309, by Tommy Tutone". I asked my husband - he said
"Celebration by Cool and the Gang."  What do you think was the "Call Me Maybe" of the 70s and 80s?

Honey Crisp Apples

I think fall has finally arrived  in DC! I love this time of year as it I have fond memories of apple picking at Hick's Orchard in upstate NY. There isnt anything tastier than an apple, right off the tree. Would you believe I was able to get that same taste from an apple at the grocery store?

I as at Giant on Friday grabbing a few items including some Red Delicious Apples. They have been terrible this year - possibly given the drought.  The woman next to me was also buying apples and she said  "Have you tried these Honey Crisp Apples? They are delicious".  (In Northern VA, its very unusual for someone to speak to you at the grocery store. Seriously, the last time someone said something to me was probably. "Move, you are in my way". This doesn't count the woman who hit me with her shopping cart at Target and when I said "You just hit me with your cart" She proceeded to hit me again. Nice huh? )

So anyway, I reply "No, I haven't tried them." She says "You must" and "Be sure to get a good one, they are expensive" "Which one is a good one I say?" She hands me the one in her hand and says  "Take this one". I took it home and tried, it. No wonder that woman was in the zone about Honey Crisp Apples. They are AMAZING!!!! I went back the next day to get more and shared them w. my boys. They were sold too!

So, next time you are at the store buying apples give the Honey Crisp a try and to the friendly woman at Giant, thanks for the great recommendation!

Let the Glittering Begin

Once Oct 1st rolls around - I go in to glitter mode. It seems like I glitter morning noon and night but its worth it to see these beautiful calendars come to life.

 

For those of you who have loved The Elegant Setting version of our desk calendar, we just received the final proof for 2013.  It's stunning if I do say so myself.  Stephanie Finkelstein did a fabulous job again this year.  I have received a number of emails about where to find it on our site so I just added links to the cover page. Just in case, here is link to order calendar + easel and refill.

 

 

6 by 6 cards adorned with a Hampton Paper Designs image each month on cream paper. If you order the box calendar set, it comes in a beautiful gift box with a gold hand made bamboo easel. The refill comes in a custom envelope with a  cream satin ribbon.

Orange Crush

Matouk to the rescue with my decorating emergency. Since Ralph Lauren discontinued the two orange fabrics I was going to use on Thomas' bed I was forced to look elsewhere. I found that Matouk will let you customize bedding with a huge portfolio of colors. I am so happy with the way this turned out. Its the perfect orange and a great compliment to the RL blue chambray walls. I loved it so much I ordered something similar for Jackson's room with Kelly Green. ( I know, I know its not very original to do the same thing but have you ever searched  for great classy boys bedroom items? Trust me its pretty much non existent!)  

 

PS. The look reminds me of HPD style - simple classic and with one design detail. At least I am consistent!!

 

Dear Santa

I know its only Oct 1 but for you very organized ladies who are getting ready to order your holiday cards, we just added these two new images. I know you all are out there because within minutes of posting these new images last week we received a bunch of orders. As for me, I already made my list to Santa. One trip to the Westin, St. Johns in January, please. Yes, the place that makes you think you have found heaven on earth!