Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's finally here! The day that is 100% devoted to rejoicing over all of the ways we are blessed. Regardless of where you're at in life- remember, there is always something to be thankful for. In the spirit of today, I couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite quotes about Thanksgiving...

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Emily and I wouldn't dare let this day pass without mentioning how thankful we are for YOU- our clients and our blog readers. You guys are so wonderful and inspirational, each in your own way and we're so very thankful for you- today and every other day. We hope that your day is flooded with smiles, laughter and lots of delicious food. Now get off that computer and go eat some more turkey!!

Here's to all that you're thankful for

Thanksgiving is TOMORROW!! Words can't describe just how excited I am for the holiday this year- the list of things I'm thankful for is ever growing and I've been jotting them down here and there. To have a whole day to reflect on the many ways we're blessed, now that sounds like paradise! :) So while you're putting those final touches on the big dinner {or lunch} or when you and your loved ones toast all the things you're thankful for, try out this festive Apple Cider Margarita!

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Safe travels if you're heading out of town for the holiday. If you're the one hosting, don't forget to check out some of our other fun Thanksgiving related ideas:

Looking for a new tradition with friends and family?

Bring in some super easy & festive candle holders to create ambience.

Make a super cute place card to wow your guests or if you're ambitious, try this table-scape.

Try incorporating mason jars for a rustic chic spin on holiday decorations & food presentation.

To finish off the meal, try one of these to-die-for desserts!

Tuesday Shoesday

We have a special Fall flavored Tuesday Shoesday for you today. Alexander McQueen is never afraid to bring his insane fashion- ridden dreams to life and though we're not all too taken with his signature skull collection, these Gold Leaf T-bar stilettos are just amazing and perfectly fitting for the season!!

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Tuesday Shoesday fun continues on * Only Gorgeous Weddings * Ruffles & Tweed * Modernly Wed *

*Life in the Super Burbs* Wrapped Couture *

Giving thanks

The weekend passed by in what seemed like a blink of the eye and thankfully, we have a super short week ahead of us!! Who's excited?!?!?! Around this time of year, one thing that we're always on the lookout for is fun hostess gift ideas. Fitting perfectly with the rustic, cozy feeling of Thanksgiving, isn't this burlap bottle bag from Sweet C's Designs is such a fun way to pass along a delicious bottle of vino to your host or hostess?

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Truly, it's perfect for any time of year... and if you're thinking these might make fun party favors, Sweet C's Designs has you covered!! You could even fill them with other goodies like cookies or caramel corn!! OH I'm in love!

Friday Funday!

FINALLY... it's Friday! After a loooong week, some rest, relaxation and a lot of craft time is on the agenda for this weekend. In the process of re-decorating my bedroom, my DIY list is ever growing but I'm determined to make some headway in these next couple of days. While in anticipating "go time" I wanted to share with you guys what's on the agenda... just incase you too are looking for some fun weekend crafting! The walls on my room are just begging to be covered and I've completely fallen for these 2 bright ideas... haha, get it?! Anyway, this Paint Swatch creation from A Beautiful Mess looks super easy and will bring together my color palette!

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Granted, I'm not in love with having it say "Me, too!" so I'll have to think of another saying. Any ideas?! I need your help on this one!!

And not surprisingly, I've been mesmerized by the art that adorns the wall of any Kate Spade boutique. If you've been in before, you've probably seen it... the infamous raspberry & white ampersand hanging out, smiling back at you.

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Well,the super cute Carrie of 2 Friends & 2 Cities shares my love of this piece and came up with a DIY tutorial. Can't wait to dig in and get crafting!

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What are you guys up to this weekend?!

Oh and last but NOT least... the winner of our Holiday Card Giveaway is Alexa!! We'll be contacting you with more details shortly. Thanks to all who entered... and keep your eyes open for more giveaways coming up! :)

Happy Friday!

xo

 

Olivia + Joy

Today's Thursday Purseday pick was inspired by the lady behind the blog, Fash Boulevard. Feast your eyes on this fabulous satchel from Olivia + Joy...

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Of course I see this bag, fall in love and then think: what the heck would I wear with it? Well, I'd like to give Fash Boulevard props for putting together this completely drool-worthy ensemble {I've been staring at that Michael Kors cape cardigan for way too long now}. I've never felt so compelled and rationalized in a desire to purchase a bright orange handbag.

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Are you obsessing half as much as I am? Oh and the best part? The bag is only $88! PLEASE!!

**Don't forget to enter to win a set of our Letterpress Holiday Cards!**

Fur heavens sake!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving being next week, we're paying much more attention to things to be thankful for. One thing that I'm extra thankful for, being that it's Wedding Wednesday and all, is the fact that fur is so in style for fall & winter weddings! You may have caught that I {Anna} LOVE fur coats and wish oh-so-badly that they were in fashion for everyday wear. Of course, it's hard to find a happy median between finding faux fur that doesn't look cheap... and selling a kidney to buy a real fur. Of course, if you did the latter, you'd have some of your PETA neighbors shaking those fingers. All that aside, how fabulously chic are these brides bundled in their furs?

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{photos clockwise from right: via, via, via, via, via}

And if you're a fall or winter bride in the market for something cuddly to keep you warm on the big day, perhaps this little bolero from BHLDN strikes your fancy?!

Completely, 100% swooning over this bolero! This fur trend is enough to make me want a fall or winter wedding!!!

Just 10 days!

Can you believe there are just 10 days until Thanksgiving?? We're kind of freaking out about how fast time is flying by! While in the process of solidifying the upcoming holiday plans, I {Anna} can't help but to be a little bummed that I'm not spending the traditional Thanksgiving with my family in Seattle. Each year I'm responsible for the table decor... and I just adore putting together festive dishes with table runners, candles, a seasonally appropriate center piece and place cards. I'm convinced that my brothers still think I'm a freak for going to such great lengths but my fingers are crossed that deep down they love it! :) Anyway, I ran across this super cute idea on Jones Design Company Blog and couldn't resist passing it along! If you're the one in your family who "sets" the table, hopefully this grants you some inspiration!

SO cute, right?! But my favorite part are the thankfulness cards that your guests can write on...

Oh how I love this time of year!!!! To see the rest of their fun ideas and to download the template for these adorable thankfulness cards, go here. Enjoy!

**Don't forget to enter to win a set of our Letterpress Holiday Cards!**

*Photos courtesy of Jones Design Company

A little Leopard

Oh hello there! We sure hope your week is going well!! This Thursday Purseday we have a fun pick for you straight from the shelves of our beloved JCrew. Can we just take a moment of silence to pay tribute to their fabulous fall & winter line? Oh what I'd give for a shopping spree at that store!!! Anyway, back on topic. Yes, leopard made a come back this year and we've been toying with the idea of investing in something with those saucy little spots on it. The Marlow Hobo was just shrieking "BUY ME!!" at first glance. Couldn't you imagine how effortlessly she'd hang from your shoulder?

Love it! I'll also mention that it's made from gorgeous Italian calf hair {I'm sure PETA just loves JCrew right now} but oh no, that wouldn't stop me from making this purchase. So now comes the real question: How could one pull off a statement piece such as this without it looking too ridiculously trendy? I pulled together a little inspiration outfit with 5 fun basic pieces that would suit it perfectly for this fall... what do you think? Would you rock it?

1: via 2: via 3: via

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It's taking all that's within me to not purchase this entire ensemble!!

*All photos are courtesy of their respective websites

Real Weddings: Tijana & Tyler

If you're a regular visitor of Style Me Pretty, you might have caught a glimpse of this wedding that was featured last week. We've been giddy with the anticipation of sharing this beautiful day and the fun invitation suite we created to set the tone!! Tijana and Tyler wanted a vintage Parisian feel and drew inspiration from Coco Chanel. Their stationery conveyed such a fun elegance!

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The big day took place at the gorgeous US Grant Hotel- the architecture alone provided beautiful decor, but Tijana and Tyler also planned out loads of details to make sure nothing was forgotten. I have to apologize in advance- there were so many STUNNING pictures to choose from that I not only had a hard time deciding which to share, but this has resulted in a major vendor crush on Laura Ashbrook Photography!!! They captured this wedding so perfectly... I think you'll agree!

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Ahhhhh! Are you just swooning?! I just love the flowers by Floral Palette as well! What an amazing day!!

For more on Tijana and Tyler's wedding, check out their feature {and gallery} on Style Me Prettyand take a gander at their wedding videoby Epitome Visions.

*All photos are courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography

Tuesday Shoesday: Joules

We've been so lucky to have some beautiful fall weather here in Boston lately, but growing up it was a season of living in rain boots. Words can't express how much I love my Hunters, but there are days when the wardrobe lacks variety thanks to mother nature. In effort to spice things up, I rolled across these incredibly ADORABLE wellies from the British company, Joules. They're basically perfect, don't you agree?!

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And as if those aren't cute enough, Joules has a slew of other adorable patterns such as stripes, florals, polo horses {truly!}, the classic glossy style {in some fun colors} and of course, these beagle boots that are so stinkin' cute I want to scream...

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If these aren't luring you to check out their other goodies, you're definitely missing out. In this case, it might be worth importing some new wellies and threads for the perfect British Countryside style that will set you apart no matter where in the states you reside!! Happy Tuesday Shoesday!! xo

Tuesday Shoesday fun continues on * Only Gorgeous Weddings * Ruffles & Tweed * Modernly Wed * Life in the Super Burbs* Wrapped Couture *

Cabin chic

Happy Monday darlings! How was your weekend? Is it just me or has time been flying by so stinkin' fast lately? I swear it was just the 4th of July!!! We hope that you had as much fun as we did with all of the "Fall Favorites" inspiration last week! This weekend we had the chance to escape the city and head to a little cabin in Virginia. Let me tell you, this getaway was much needed! In its anticipation and even now as I'm home, I find myself dreaming of my own future cabin and all of the goodies that I'd cram in there for a rustic chic ambience. How sweet would it be to cozy up next to the fire in one of these places??

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The rustic combination of wood and shades of stone in contrast with clean white and beige... it's just perfect! Decorating with antlers adds such a unique dimension and texture too and luckily if you're not a hunter, faux antlers are pretty easy to find these days! Said cabin may not come for awhile {or ever} but hey, a girl can dream, right?

Which do you prefer- a mountain cabin or a beach house??

Fall Favorites: La Petite Coquin

Lena here from La Petite Coquin-I'm absolutely tickled to be guest blogging at Pearls for Paper today! Enjoying all this fall inspiration is enough to make a girl thirsty, but have no fear-your perfect autumn cocktail is here! I've been waiting for Whole Foods to open up their holiday table so I can get down to the business of ordering my Thanksgiving turkey, and to celebrate that free range bird I thought we could toast with a Cranberry Cobbler, a divine libation with plenty of fall flair!

Cranberry Cobbler serves 6 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1 lemon, cut into wedges 1/2 orange, sliced into thin rounds 1 1/2 cups London dry gin 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. off-dry Sherry 6 mint sprigs

Heat 1 cup of simple syrup almost to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Add cranberries and simmer until they just being to burst; let cool.

Place two tablespoons of drained cranberries and 6 tablespoons of cranberry syrup in a large pitched; add lemon wedges and orange slices. Mash fruit, then add gin and Sherry. Let steep for 5 minutes.

Fill rocks glasses with crushed ice. Strain cocktail into medium pitcher, then shake with ice. Strain into prepared glasses, then mound with additional crushed ice.

Notes: While this recipe is a bit more labor intensive that my usual libations, it's well worth the effort. For a non-alcoholic version, skip the gin and sherry and serve the cranberry syrup and muddled fruit with club soda or sparkling cider. Cheers!

Recipe by Jim Meehan, Photograph by Levi Brown for Bon Appetit.

Fall Favorites: Lovely Little Details

{image by Hugh Forte}

Hello Pearls for Paper readers! Can I tell you how excited I am to be visiting today? Emily and Anna are some of the loveliest people I've "met" (cocktails in Boston soon, please?) in this crazy wedding world, and I am just so honored to be paying a visit to the blog today :)

Oh! Maybe I should introduce myself as well? I'm Jacin, and I am an event designer/planner living in San Francisco but originally from Connecticut, and I also have a blog under my company name, Lovely Little Details. You can take the girl out of New England, but you can't take the New England out of the girl, right? So it goes without saying that I just love mason jars. Before you roll your eyes and sigh, let me back up a bit. Masons are more than just pretty decor to me, I promise. Though they are a lovely wedding trend, I actually love them because they remind me of my late grandmother, Mimi, who was the queen of canning - from jams to pickles to homemade tomato juice (best bloody mary ever, anyone?) - she knew how to make it and every time we visited her, we'd end up with a special jar of one of her labors of love. I've never shared the image below, but it is my favorite picture and I think it depicts her perfectly. Isn't she the sweetest?

So... when Anna asked me to stop by today and talk about my favorite uses for masons in the fall, I happily obliged :) Here are some of my faves!

{image by Hugh Forte}

I love how Nancy of So Happi Together added these adorable oak leave cutouts to mason jars for guests to use as place cards and drinking cups. So sweet, and perfect for fall, don't you think? I'm picturing a big canteen of hot apple cider right in the middle for an autumn gathering, or maybe if you want to jazz up your college football tailgate. Yes, my husband might be mortified, but at least it would look cute, right?

{etsy seller meganEsass}

Next up, why should we be the ones who get to enjoy our comfy fall sweaters? Kidding, but aren't these hand-knit mason jar "coozies" created by Megan Esass just so sweet? They'd be perfect for your Thanksgiving side table, or even as part of the centerpiece.

{The Nerd's Wife}

Confession: I don't like apple pie. Phew! I said it. But there's nothing like the smell of homemade apple pie with the cinnamon and spices filling the air, and to me, it automatically reminds me of the fall. That and pumpkin pie. The concept of pies in a jar will never get old to me, and I especially love the pumpkin pies - wouldn't that be a fun gift for your guests to take home after a dinner party? {Here's the step by step instructions from Our Best Bites}.

{the brides cafe}

Obviously, besides canning, my next favorite use for masons is as a simple and pretty vase. I love flowers, they just make me happy. Add a few wheat stalks, or a single dinnerplate dahlia bloom, and you've got yourself a gorgeous centerpiece. The image above is one of my ultimate faves.

{You Stir Me}

Lastly, I just stumbled upon this last week over on You Stir Me (one of my faves!) where Laura craftily adapted the Thank You Jar idea from Young House Love in to a mason jar instead of a topiary jar. The concept is that you and your family write down something you are thankful for everyday leading up to Thanksgiving, and then you read them. I just love this idea and have a big blue mason just waiting to be filled.

Thanks again Anna & Emily for having me visit today - hope you all enjoy your holiday season, mason jars and all :)

xoxo jacin

Fall Favorites: You Stir Me

Hi lovelies! I'm Laura from You Stir Me and I'm so happy to be visiting the gals at Pearls for Paper today and sharing a fun and easy DIY with you! This week is all about fall favorites and my absolute favorite thing to do this time of year is dream about all the prettiness in store for the holiday season. As soon as the first brisk fall morning peeks it's little nose around here, I instantly dive into all the holiday inspiration I've been squirreling away and have at it. Here's a little DIY I came up with, perfect for your Thanksgiving table or for those crafty brides out there wanting a homespun twist for their place cards. DIY Wreath Place Cards

You Will Need: A wreath (I used a vine wreath I had laying around but you can use a Styrofoam or cardboard one if you like!) Yarn Ribbon Glue gun Decorative accents Name Tag Scissors

Step 1: Tie one end of your yarn around the wreath and wrap the yarn all around the wreath. Tie it off when completed.

Step 2: With your glue gun, begin to glue the decorative accents to the wreath. I like to poke the ends of the accents into the wreath and hide them underneath the yarn. Be sneaky. Feel free to add as little or as much as you like! I was going to use the gold glitter ornament you see in the pictures but nixed it last minute. Editing down my crafts is not easy for me!

Step 3: Thread a piece of yarn through the name tag and tie it around the wreath. Loop your ribbon around the top, leaving the two ends untied. You'll use the ends to tie the wreath around your napkin.

Step 4: Place your wreath on your napkin and tie the ribbon ends behind the napkin. Sit back and enjoy!

Wouldn't it be such a fun idea if you made new Thanksgiving wreath place cards each year and everyone in your family started a collection of the wreaths over the years? You could hang them up on the Christmas tree or create a pretty garland to ring in the holiday season. Make sure to snip off the name tags, of course. Think of all the fun little things you could glue to the wreaths for a kids table!

My family might be seeing some little wreaths at their seats come Thanksgiving...

Fall Favorites: Cornflake dreams

Hello! It's Jillian from Cornflake Dreams, a life and style blog about all the dreamy things in life and travels abroad. I had the pleasure of meeting Anna + Emily during the Rendez-Vous New England Event in Boston this past September and I am thrilled to be guest posting on Pearls for Paper!

Today I would love to share with you my favorite family tradition. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter my mom's side of the family gets together for a large dinner and at the end of the meal we all sign the tablecloth! Each holiday has a separate vintage tablecloth that we use every year. We sign in permanent marker and then a family friend embroiders the signatures in holiday-colored thread. everyone signs their name + the year and kids will draw a small picture. Guests are encouraged to sign and it's fun to see who has attended the dinners over the years and how our signature has changed. When I lived in Charleston, I included a small palm tree by my signature and I even think the easter tablecloth has "Jillian DiCaprio" somewhere on it from my Titanic days.

 

My friends and I are starting to get together for Thanksgiving every year and I am thinking about starting this tradition with them. It's a beautiful keepsake that is purposeful and unique!

 

What are your favorite family traditions?

 

xo,

jillian of cornflake dreams

Fall Favorites

Howdy there & happy Halloween!!! Did you get to do anything fun this weekend? Catch a glimpse of any unique costumes? It's always so fun to see all of the little kiddos decked out in costumes & acting out their characters!! So, we've been gushing about Fall ever since September hit... the season represents change, counting our blessings and spending loads of quality time with loved ones. This week some of our fabulous blog-friends are stopping by to share some of their "Fall Favorites" to inspire you! We have SUCH a fun week ahead!!!

For now, I'll get things started with one of my personal favorite fall past times: making {and eating} caramel apples. Enjoying them any other time of year doesn't have the same effect! Am I right or am I right?! More recently, I've noticed some fun recipes that make the most of these festive flavors.

{Recipes are clockwise from top left: via, via, via}

Mmmm...  don't these look like perfection? What is your favorite fall food?

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for more fun Fall Faves! :)

2011 Paper Moss Holiday Cards

Yes, yes, yes, it's time my friends! It's time to start pouring over holiday recipes, making travel arrangements, soliciting gift ideas and of course, it's time to make the grand holiday card list! It shouldn't come as a surprise that the latter part falls into our category of holiday faves.

We've been giddy over announcing that once again Paper Moss is offering a collection of "ready-to-order" holiday cards that you can personalize. If you’d like to cross something off your to-do list, send your loved ones a chic, stylish and unique holiday greeting by following these easy steps:

1. Pick from one of the designs below.

2. Email us {holiday@papermoss.com} with your choice & quantity, along with personalized requests: names, wording, photos, color, etc.

3. We will email you back with detailed info and a proof. Upon your approval we will be off to print!

Please note: Each order takes about 2 weeks and the "deadline" for ordering these little guys is *DECEMBER 1st*

Also, needless to say, we love doing custom work so if you’re interested in something completely original {or want to splurge on letter press}, just email us at holiday@papermoss.com and we'll take it from there!

We hope that you're equally excited for the holidays that are oh-so-quickly approaching! Have a fabulous weekend! xo

The best case

We have a special Thursday Purseday devoted to those who are in touch with their inner-technology-loving-nerdy side. I love my electronics as much as the next gal and I KNOW that when my iPhone drops, certain words come out of my mouth that could make my grandma cry. I'm working on it!

We tracked down some of our favorite covers, cases and clutches to protect these precious items, so without further adieu...

This little wristlet has me convinced that Michael Kors is on to something. Being an iPhone owner, I can attest that the phone doesn't fit into just any clutch. While this wristlet concept is fabulous, the reviews are quite the contrary. Is it worth $80 to find out for ourselves??

If you have an iPad and $795.00 laying around, you'll definitely want to get your hands on this Cosmic iPad case- made of none other than lamb leather, of course. You can pre-order this case on the Marc Jacobs site.

Toting around my laptop is one thing that I completely loathe... but if it were in this sleek little laptop bag from Marc Jacobs, it wouldn't be so bad. Especially adoring the gold hardware!!

And last but not least, always faithful Kate Spade has some super fun laptop and phone cases. Perfect for those who are constantly on the go and like to stay fashionable while doing so!

Protecting electronics in the fanciest way possible is yet another trend that we LOVE!

*Photos courtesy of Apple; Marc Jacobs; Nordstrom; Kate Spade