Getting it all together...

My wife is an organizer. She is naturally inclined to plan her approach to everything. Often this includes tab separated notebooks, file folders, sticky notes, color coded highlighters and/or lots of reviewing!
I am a selective organizer. There are certain things that I can be extraordinarily detailed and organized about. For me, this often includes electronic file folders, but when it makes it to paper copies – multiple piles!

When my wife and I got married last year we realized something and anyone who has ever gotten married will tell you as well, that one of the hardest things about this wonderful event is to organize all your wedding information. From colors, to flowers and dresses, to music and food – it can all be overwhelming. Trying to do it all yourself is not only a daunting task, but just plain no fun! Just remember, this is why you have friends and family in general, and bridal attendants in particular!
Your bridal attendants (yes, even the groomsmen!) are there to help make your wedding day incredibly memorable. It’s not uncommon, or even unexpected to ask them to help with specific tasks. Give them small tasks that just need to be done, but that you might not have the time to do. Arrange a to-do list for your attendants, especially as your wedding date gets closer.

One last thing: When my wife and I got married last year, we really relied on our friends to give us a needed break from wedding planning. My biggest advice I can offer a couple is to write into the schedule, “Time to Relax!” Whether it’s a movie and ice cream on the couch each week (Sunday nights at 7 during our wedding planning!), or playing Skee-ball on a Friday night with friends! Just take time to relax, have fun, and do the things that you did before the “Wedding Planning” began. I promise that you will enjoy the scheduled break!

Making sure that love never goes unnoticed

We are always super excited when we receive new style designs from our vendors, and today is no exception! We’ve recently received 17 new items from Doc Milo, and someone said “Wow. I wonder how all these artists come up with such adorable things.” Well, why not ask?!?

As an opportunity to find out more about one of our creative vendors, we caught up with Sarah Sheffer from Doc Milo and here is what she had to say!

Paperstyle: When and why did you decide to start Doc Milo?

Sarah: I wish I had a more businesslike answer but the truth is that I started the company (in 1998) because it was the single most fun thing I could think up to do. Anyone who’s ever started something from nothing will know what I mean when I say it was all just a grand adventure back then. Terrifying and exhilarating all at once. That the company has become what it has all these years later is as much a testament to the joy with which the whole enterprise was conceived as it is to the fantastic energy of not only everyone now working at Doc Milo, but also the creative spirit that drives our vendors and the end users of our papers. I think when you do what you love, you naturally draw other people to you who love what they do, and that spark just keeps getting passed back and forth and getting brighter and more fabulous for everyone involved.

Paperstyle: When you are looking for inspiration, where do you turn?

Sarah: First and foremost, I come from a family of big party throwers. Lots of cousins, lots of weddings, lots of babies...basically lots of milestones. My whole life, at every opportunity, there’s a party. So I think that the fun, fabulous quality that people so respond to in my work is really just the energy of my family, sort of channeled into ink. Nice that I get to take credit for it, but there’s a whole tribe of wonderful people and experiences and memories behind me every time I sit down to draw. Just remembering the good times we’ve had and thinking about the good times to come.

As for sheer style points? Well, my baby sister (who’s now 30, and yes, still my baby) is definitely my fashion muse - very Audrey Hepburn - she’s like the human embodiment of the word “adorable,” but in a very cool way. Because I have the world’s greatest mother, I got to spend a summer in high school studying in the fashion department at the Parsons School of Design, which was just incredible, and probably permanently firmed up fashion design as a cornerstone of inspiration for me forever. Add to that the fact that I was an architecture major at Columbia and then after college worked briefly in interior design and, well, I guess it’s safe to say you see all those influences at play in my work. Color, line, form, all of that. Just the big wide world of art and design, which is endless. And really, that’s the beauty of inspiration...that it can come from anywhere.

So I guess as far as where I “turn?” I turn all around, all the time, looking at everything I possibly can. You just never know...and that’s the fun. There are amazing people doing amazing work all over the place. If you’re open to it, the really good stuff is everywhere. It’s just about getting yourself in a place where you can be receptive and then, corny as it sounds, it sort of just appears as needed.

Paperstyle: In the years you have been doing this, what have you learned that you would like to share?

Sarah: The social stationery business is endlessly complex and fascinating, but the main thing I have learned is actually the simplest. Yes, we’re all terribly sophisticated these days. We shop over the internet. We get paperless proofs. We have overnight shipping to China or Brazil or London. But when it comes to celebrating the special occasions in our lives, we still want the same things we always have.

We want to mark the big events - weddings, births, celebrations of every kind - with a sort of emotional exclamation point. We want beauty and grace and a true sense of festivity, because at bottom, what this whole industry is about is love. What I do? It’s about helping to make sure that love never goes unnoticed.

For anyone who wants to know the secret to my business, it is just this: the closer I come to capturing pure joy on paper, the better able I am to tap into that endlessly elusive, yet immediately recognizable feeling, the better a seller I have. Because what speaks to all of us at these times in our lives is the same. It’s magic. It’s all about the magic. And, really, what else is love if not that?

Paperstyle: Do you have a favorite of your new line of invitations?

Sarah: Asking me which of my designs I like best is like asking someone which of their kids they like best. Anyone who tells you they don’t have a favorite is lying, but they’ll never tell you who it is, and neither will I. :)

Just In! Graphic Folded Notes by Cross My Heart!

When you are thinking of someone, how do you let them know? Do you sit down to write them a little note? The next time you do so, make it even more personal. Send them an attractive note card, personalized with your initial, along with your thoughts and sentiments!

Personalized initials are available from A to Z, great for everyone in the family! These folded notes are on a medium card stock with a cool design in fun shades. Perfect for thank you notes or for everyday correspondence. They are sold in sets of 10, which include envelopes. Note measurements (folded): 4 7/8" x 3 3/8".

Around the office, we find these personalized folded notes are great for gifts! Who couldn’t use some fun desktop flair?
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Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

When life is busy and even a little crazy at times, I like to just take a minute to pause and relax! As inconvenient as that sometimes is, taking a break is often helpful for getting refocused. I used to love to go to the zoo to see the animals and the people having a good time. It was a great opportunity for me to relax and have fun, so I could refocus on the ‘To Do List’ of life.

If a visit to the zoo is in the future for you, why not celebrate with a complete zoo theme!

Animal Collage Invitation - 9-77904

...to get the party started!

Animal Collage Dessert Plates - 9-6830SP

...for animal crackers, elephant sized pieces of cake

or Chunky Monkey Ice cream!

Animal Collage Luncheon Napkins - 9-6830L

...for big messes that your little 'animals' might make!

Animal Collage Cocktail Napkins - 9-6830C

...for those little sips or snacks!

Animal Collage Hankies - 9-6830M

Wipe up those crocodile tears!

Animal Collage Thank You Notes - 9-77610

...to thank your guests for an Ape-solutely great time!

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Fourth of July

Looking at the weather forecast for this weekend, Atlanta is hitting the low to mid 90's all week with not a cloud in the sky! We all know what that means… Summer is here! The time for being outside, grilling out and waiting for fireworks to burst over head is near! That’s right! July 4th, Independence Day for the United States of America is just less than a month away!

This year, make it memorable – and leave your guests asking for you to make it an annual event! Check out our line of Patriotic Invitations, as well as our variety of Hot Barbeque Invitations to start your party planning!

We've included a few great recipes that you might include in your cookout. When looking for fun new recipes, I enjoy using allrecipes.com for their great conversion charts. I've tried a few of these recipes, and some just looked too good not to share! All pictures are from the allrecipes.com website.

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Quick Baby Back Ribs Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Yields: 10 servings "This is an easy recipe for ribs that won't be tough at all! I tried this recipe the last time I made ribs for my family. Plenty for 9 hungry adults!"

INGREDIENTS:
2-1/2 cups mesquite chips, soaked
2-1/2 (2 pound) slabs baby back pork ribs
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
2-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground
pepper 2-1/2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
2-1/2 teaspoons ancho chile
powder
1-1/4 teaspoons ground thyme
2-1/2 cups barbeque sauce

DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect heat - a pile of charcoal on one side, nothing under the food. Once it is going, throw some soaked mesquite woodchips on it. (You can do the same with a gas grill, just light one side at a low to medium heat.)
2. Remove the membrane from the ribs if the butcher has not already. Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, chile powder and thyme; rub onto the ribs. Cut the slab of ribs in half.
3. Place the ribs over indirect heat, and close the lid. Cook for 20 minutes, then brush with barbeque sauce. Cover, and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

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Baked Beans Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 50 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour Yields: 12 servings "Baked beans baked - again - with pork, brown sugar, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. My sister-in-law and I tend to race to the next helping of baked beans, so we always make extra!"

INGREDIENTS:
2 (29 ounce) cans baked beans
with pork
1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
sauce

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a casserole dish, combine beans, brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

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Veggie Kabobs Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In : 25 Minutes Yields: As much as you want! "For something quick and light on the grill, some veggie kabobs are sure to add some color and extra flavor to your plate!"

INGREDIENTS:
Colorful, sweet vegetables (We used: green peppers, red peppers, onions, mushrooms)
Grill Seasoning (We used Montreal seasoning)
Kabob Sticks

DIRECTIONS:
1. Chop vegetables into cubes / chunks
2. Brush / sprinkle with olive oil
3. Sprinkle grill seasoning
4. Wrap in foil and place on the grill
5. Grill for about 10 minutes, or until texture desired(less cook time for crisper veggies)
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Welcome...

Greetings from the PaperStyle Family!

We're so excited to be joining everyone in an additional format:
The Blog!

A few things you can look forward to here are great ideas from the creative minds at www.paperstyle.com, practical advice on planning and etiquette, as well as charming and memorable product announcements. In case you’re hearing from us for the first time though, here is a little more about us!

Our History- PaperStyle was founded in 1999 by retail veterans with the idea that you didn't have to go to a local stationery store to find the best invitations and stationery. Nine years later, you've helped us prove we were right! As the years and seasons have passed, we've added more products, great people, printing presses and square feet! Our office and in-house printing facility is state-of-the-art and it allows us to streamline almost every process,

saving you time and money.

We're passionate about what we do and hope that you enjoy our site. We will exceed your expectations! Our service, selection, speed and quality are just a few of the reasons you'll receive a great value from PaperStyle. We are confident your shopping experience with us will be a pleasure. So confident, that you can shop risk-free with our PaperStyle's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Around the office, we are excited about meeting you and sharing our news on our brand new blog! Keep checking back here for great updates about products and services from PaperStyle!

In the mean time, head over to www.paperstyle.com,
to check out our main site!

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