J.Crew Weddings & Parties Sample Sale

Yesterday evening I attended a preview of the J.Crew wedding & parties sample sale. The bridesmaid and party dress selection was limited, but there were racks and racks of beautiful wedding gowns to choose from. If you are looking for a beautiful dress at a discount, this sale is definitely worth a visit!

J.Crew Weddings & Parties Sample Sale
Flatotel Hotel
135 West 52nd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 9:00 am — 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 21, 10:00 am — 6:00 pm

Things to See this Weekend

If you like works on paper there is an awful lot to see this weekend!

A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy opens at the Morgan Library (225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street).

The exhibition Polish Film Posters: Girls, Love, Fear, Sex, Typography opens at Philip Williams Gallery (122 Chambers Street, between Church & West Broadway).

IFPDA Print Fair at The Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue at 67th Street).

And last but not least, the 2009 Editions|Artists' Book Fair will take place at X Initiative (548 West 22nd Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues).

New York Chocolate Show

The chocolate show turned out to be lots of fun and there were some interesting displays including a vitrine filled with vintage chocolate molds and whimsical costumes constructed completely of chocolate.

After tasting lots of delicious samples, my two favorite exhibitors by far were Oliver Kita (www.oliverkita.com) and Chocolate Springs (www.chocolatesprings.com).

Oliver Kita's chocolates were visually stunning; many had interesting metallic patterns and gem-like shapes and surfaces. The Scarlet Caramel and Lavandre Citronade were delicious. These would make impressive individual favors or would be lovely served with coffee at the end of a meal.

Chocolate Springs's individual chocolates were also intensely flavored but had an extremely light texture which went well with the delicate Japanese-inspired surface illustrations.

I especially loved the special New York City illustrations created for the chocolate show. This assortment would be perfect to include in a welcome bag for out of town guests...

New York Chocolate Show

I can't wait to attend New York's Chocolate Show this weekend. I don't think it's going to be as over the top as Paris's Salon du Chocolat (as deliciously documented by Paris Breakfast), but I hope to discover some new producers/chocolates I haven't tasted before and get some new ideas for favor packaging and display.

Visit the Chocolate Show's website (www.chocolateshow.com) for show details and tickets.

Quince Blossom Branch Display

It has been such a crazy week that I have not had the opportunity to post any pictures from last Thursday's event at Lion in the Sun until now. Thank you to Melinda and Jessica for organizing such a fun little party - I can't wait to do it again! Above is a photo of the quince blossom display I set up at the shop. The samples are hanging from ribbons, which are looped over the branches. This type of arrangement works well with just about any type of forced branch (forsythia, dogwood, magnolia, etc.) and would look very pretty if used as a seating card display.

Blue Ribbon "Meet the Designer" event at Lion in the Sun, Park Slope

Do you live or work in the New York City area?


Join me at Lion in the Sun on February 12th from 7:00-8:30 pm for the store's first ever "Meet the Designer" invitation trunk show. There will be lots of beautiful samples from the letterpress collection and custom portfolio on display, and I will be on hand to personally answer all of your etiquette, design, and printing questions. Best of all, all invitation orders placed during the event will be 10% off. RSVP to shop@lioninthesunps.com or 718.369.4006.

Click here for additional information and directions to the store.

"Unveiling the Best" at Kate's Paperie

Last week I attended the "Unveiling the Best" event at Kate's Paperie on the UES. It was a lovely event, with gorgeous floral & tabletop displays by Michelle Rago, delicious hors d'oeuvres from Laurence Craig Catering, and to top it off, Darcy Miller was on hand to greet brides-to-be. My photo does not do it justice, but here is small segment of one of the colorful tabletop displays from the event. As you can see, chartreuse remains a strong trend!

National Stationery Show Wrap Up

Thank you to all the retailers, press, and industry friends who visited Blue Ribbon's booth at this year's stationery show! We're really proud of all the new designs - especially our new notebooks and letterpress flats - and enjoyed having the opportunity to show them off!

National Stationery Show, Booth #4227

Today was the opening day of The National Stationery Show and it was so wonderful to see so many of our retailers here in New York. There's lots of new card designs on display (photos coming soon), so if you're in town for the show, please stop by and say, "hello"!

If you are a retailer, and can't make it to the show, please email us at sales@blueribbondesign to request a copy of our current catalogue.

New Store: Thistle & Clover

Last night I attended the opening for a new boutique in Fort Greene named Thistle & Clover. The owners have curated a sophisticated mix of clothing, jewelry and accessories, all displayed in a sleek gallery-like setting that really allows the individual products to shine. They also have a small selection of stationery - including a few designs by yours truly - which they have displayed in an antique case along with some gorgeous earrings and necklaces. The shop is beautiful and owners couldn't be nicer, so if you are in the neighborhood, definitely check it out!


Thistle & Clover
221 DeKalb Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11205
(718) 855 5577 (t)
(718) 855 5533 (f)
www.thistleclover.com

Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 12PM-8PM
Saturday & Sunday 11AM-7PM

Best in Bridal

Thanks to Tara and Meredith of BFF Bridal for organizing a such a beautiful event! I was so busy chatting with all the brides-to-be about their upcoming weddings that I didn't take too many pictures. Thankfully Brooklyn Bride was in attendence and has posted some wonderful photos.

(The gift tag above was made especially for the event. The tag features calligraphy by Bernard Maisner and was designed and letterpress printed by Blue Ribbon Design.)

BFF Bridal Event at the St. Regis

Browse through Blue Ribbon's beautiful line of letterpress wedding stationery and have all your wedding reception questions answered by New York's finest wedding professionals (including yours truly) at BFF Bridal's Best in Bridal event on Tuesday, September 25 (6:00-9:00 pm).