Spring Greetings

I don't know about all of you, but I am just ready for April to get here. Usually by April the snow is gone, the grass turns green and we are in full spring mode. Also, April is the month of Easter one of my all time favorite holidays!

This year, I actually decided to send Easter cards. We were so crazy over Christmas, and the added expense of Christmas cards didn't fit into the budget. So, I thought it would be nice to send greetings to family and friends at a time when they wouldn't normally get a picture card.

Tiny Prints has the most adorable selection to choose from. Whether you want to send an Easter greeting, or an invite for an Easter brunch, they have so many options...

and while I was browsing, I just noticed they have personalized Mother's Day Cards!!! Best part? They are only $3.99 a card and there is an option to include a Gift Card to popular retailers. These are WAY better than any card you could get at Target or Hallmark...

Truffles...they aren't just chocolates!

You know my love of paper products, so when Shanda from Truffle Cards contacted me about her line of adorable calling cards I couldn't resist posting about them!

Truffle Cards are such a cute and creative way to pass along your info to new Mom friends you may meet along the way.  I have mentioned this before, but I used calling cards when I first moved to Kansas City and they were great! It takes the awkwardness out of sharing your information with a new friend. With this little card you can easily share your name, childs name and any other contact info you may want to include like a Twitter account or your Blog. These are also great gifts for friends or relatives!

She has silk prints that are $48 for a set of 50 or Letterpress which are $198 for a set of 50



Call Me...

I have a major thing for paper products. Especially those with vibrant colors and patterns. So when I came across Pixielimpress, I totally fell in love!!! The designer uses zig-zags and Ikats...and the color combos are outstanding. And really, every woman should have a pretty calling card, no?

Maida-Vale

I am all about color and pattern, but I also can appreciate the things in life that are simple and sophisticated. Maida Vale modern invitations are just that. They aren't overly graphic, but they are just a perfect amount of sweet and pretty combined to make a darling baby announcement or party invite. The designer is also an IU grad, and I love to support my fellow Hoosiers!

She has many adorable birth announcement designs to choose from, these 2 being my favorites...

Aubree

Which when you open it, reveals their first initial...SO CUTE!

Aidan

Kate

Spencer

Really adorable in Lavender...

this one can be double sided, with a picture on the back

She also does party invites and social stationary!

The perfect package

image via Gilded Bee's Etsy Shop

I am not the type of girl that just throws a gift into a bag with some tissue paper. I think my mom was the one who always inspired me to truly "wrap" a gift. My mom is the queen of beautiful packages, in fact, she has a whole closet full of goodies to make a package look pretty! When I saw this gorgeous site, I immediately thought of her.

image via Gilded Bee's Etsy Shop

Anything from the Gilded Bee's Etsy shop would make a gift unique. From her paper butterflies to her gift tags, they are all hand-made and most definitely one of a kind! 

Stunning Paper Butterflies...

Sophisticated gift tags...

And the perfect paper flowers...

and even the twine to wrap around the package is pretty!

With all of this, you might make a gift so beautiful it won't want to be opened!

Put away your computer and bust out a writing utensil...

I am hoping that Santa brought you all what you wanted (or needed) this Christmas. At this age it's really hard to say that we "need" anything right? We kind of just buy stuff as we need it...but come holiday time it is inevitable that friends and family are generous and kind in the gift department. So, you know what that means? Thank you note time!

Since I was small I have always hand written thank you notes for any gift I receive. As I got older, I realized how important these little notes really were. When someone goes out of their way to buy you something nice...throw a party...host a shower...have you over for dinner...it is common courtesy to send your regards and just say thank you.

Unfortunately, with the advances in technology, the hand written note has gone by the wayside. I truly almost fell over in my chair when I got a thank you note from my 21 year old babysitter who had borrowed a dress from me for a special occasion. I know it sounds silly, but I was so impressed! She took the time out of her busy college schedule to write a beautiful, thoughtful note and to top it all off, it was on gorgeous monogrammed stationary.

So, whether or not you have the time...set a few minutes aside this year to send thank you's to the ones you love. They truly will appreciate the thought. And if you need some paper inspiration, here are some of my favorites!

For the sophisticate...

ALL FROM IOMOI

For the Prepster...

ALL FROM JACK AND LULU

For The Traditional...

ALL FROM WHITNEY ENGLISH

 And if you happen to live in Kansas City, my go-to is RSVP in the Village (Prairie Village). The owner, Abby, has impeccable taste and the most gorgeous selection of stationary and invites in the city!!!