How cute is this silk screened tote bag from Esther Aarts!? We received a special holiday package from our friend all the way in the Netherlands and can't wait to fill it up with our favorite farmers market finds. And her X-mas controller card had us giggling right away. Another brilliant design!
Pinned: Sparkles for New Year's Eve
In preparation for New Year's Eve, we browsed through our Pinterest collection in search of the perfect party outfit. We may not all be attending a dazzling soiree, but we'll definitely be rocking our silver and gold sequins. You can find these glittering gowns and party accessories here along with our other favorites!
Happy New Year to all! See you in 2012!
Lucky Friday # 45, Warm Things
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 45th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Linda, Michael and Heather! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Happy New Year card!
Design: Warm Things Artist: Eunice Moyle Inspiration: We were skating on thin ice fishing for ideas, scraping by on a slippery slope, but after we thought of warm things it was all downhill from there. Who to send it to: Someone who's a little wild and wooly, seasonably squirrelly or just a real deer. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: The words "sock it to me" repeated in a dense pattern with a myriad of mismatched socks. Favorite detail: Don't we all want a squirrel patch scarf? Why letterpress? The ice-be-gone scraper is a lovely and homely little reality check— another crisp detail made possible through letterpress.
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
Calligraphy + Letterpress = Brilliance
What can we say? Michele Papineau has done it again. For her holiday cards this year, Michele hand wrote the lyrics to "I'll be home for Christmas" and we letterpress printed them in festive red ink. We just received a hand addressed card with a little note inside. It's so wonderful to be friends with such a talented artist! Thanks Michele!
Lucky Friday #44, Esther Aarts' Happy New Year
Hello all you lucky folks out there! This is the 44th edition of our Lucky Friday Giveaway! Each Friday we feature one of our letterpress greeting cards. We’ll choose THREE LUCKY WINNERS to get a free card. Post a comment by 12 p.m. PST the following Thursday, and we’ll announce the winners on the following Friday!
The three winners from last week are (drum roll, please): Mirabelle, Jo and Agata! We’ll contact you next week to arrange sending your Cozy Gifts card!
Now for this week’s timely card:
Design: Happy New Year Artist: Esther Aarts Inspiration: It was about time for Esther Aarts to do something really Cuckoo! Who to send it to: A fine fräulein with time on her side or a handsome herr with just a minute to spare. Ideas we scrapped in favor of this one: Perhaps it's a sign of the times, but the grandfather clock design felt little old and tired. Favorite detail: How fun to ring in the new year swinging on a pendulum! Why letterpress? Like other handiwork from German engineers, our Heidelberg presses run like clockwork for years and years!
Don’t forget to post your comment and tune in next week, same time, different stationery, to see if you’ve won!
Happy Holidays from all of us!
You may think that because we're a stationery company that we never face any uncertainty when choosing our own holiday cards. It actually takes lots of consideration to be sure we send the perfect card to our friends and colleagues. But we must admit, it was a seamless decision when we chose the design for our own holiday cards this year. Inspired by Susy Jack's Amazing New Year card, we transformed the digital version into a four color two-sided letterpress stunner.
For our special friends, we slipped in a package of digital/letterpress hybrid gift tags! They're suitable for any occasion, but think they'd be fabulous wrapped up with a festive bow or around a bottle of spirits or wine.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Hello!Lucky! We are so thankful for all of your support and friendship, and are looking forward to a bright and bustling 2012!
Modern Kids Photography
When Edyta recommended Sarah at Modern Kids Photography for holiday family photos, we knew she'd be amazing (Edyta's behind all of Hello!Lucky's editorial product photos). The clincher? Sarah's a former nanny with a natural warmth and openness. She miraculously put Sabrina's twin toddlers at ease the moment she set foot in the door!
We shot in and around Sabrina's house and neighborhood...
In the back yard...
At home...
And walking around the neighborhood...with their colorful walls and doors, the neighborhood provided a surprising variety of backdrops.
Tips for a successful photo shoot:
- Schedule it for when the kids will be well-fed and well-rested.
- Shoot at home, around the neighborhood, or at a familiar park.
- Pick comfortable clothes and pay attention to color palette. Outfits don't need to match but it helps to pick colors and patterns in the same family (we chose a variety of stripes in preppy colors and earth tones).
- If you're using your photos in holiday photo cards or photo birth announcements, have a few card designs in mind and keep their color palette and photo orientation (portrait vs. landscape).
Sabrina used her photos in the accordion-style Four Seasons New Year's Card by Susy Jack* - check out the results here!
15 % Off New Year's Cards!
You still have a few more days to order holiday cards! We're offering 15% off all New Year's cards so you can send loved ones a year of cheer. Order by December 26th to receive by January 4th. Use the code HELLO2012 before December 31st! Start your shopping here!
Love from London
Christmas came early to the San Francisco office! A large package arrived at our studio the other day, and who could it be from? None other than our friends Iain and Hamad over in London! We were squealing like kids when we found bunches of simple brown wrapped presents, each attached with a handwritten song lyric.
Hmm, what could it be?
Scarves for all!
Thanks Iain and Hamad! Warm winter greetings to you!
Sabrina's Adorable Accordion
Now would be an appropriate time for an "Awweee" moment! Sabrina's holiday cards just arrived off the press and they are cute as can be. Her twins Alex and James are getting so big, and we can really see the resemblances! We especially love how the boys' stripes match perfectly with the winter and spring illustrations in Susy Jack's Four Seasons accordion card. The best part is that there's no pressure to send them before Christmas because this card is perfect for any time of year!
Alex and James definitely make our list of Holiday Cuties this year!
The gorgeous photos were taken by the Sarah at Modern Kids Photography - more on this soon!
Lucky List for the Cozy Home
Snuggle on up with this classic 100% merino wool throw from Pendleton. We love the soft yet vocal plaid of the Dress Stewart Tartan, but it comes in various styles for every home. Add an embroidered monogram or personalization to create a lasting impression.
Imagine wrapping your favorite knit sweater around a fluffy cloud and sprawling on the couch with a great book or movie. That's what we pictured when we first laid our eyes on these knit pillows from Nordstrom. It's heaven in an 18" x 18" square, and its neutral tones will warm up any home!
Switch from cold hard ceramic to plush knit and porcelain this winter, 'cause your regular mugs deserve a rest! Whether for hot cocoa or your favorite hot tea, these cozy mugs are the ultimate cold weather accessory.
The holidays may always seem hectic and blustery, but truly the best (or most enjoyable) activity this time of year is just lounging. Hanging out with loved ones, sharing family traditions and dining on classic wintery feasts, these are all the things we appreciate the most. The moment you slip on that pair of comfy pants you're ready for some serious lounge time. Anthropologie's wide leg trouser style bottoms are perfect for allowing extra snuggle space on all those cold winter nights.
Of all the things we so obviously love about the holidays, the sound of Bing Crosby's voice might trump them all. Holiday Inn is a classic musical comedy for any collection. You'll be singing along in no time!
Cashmere scarves are great. Cashmere sweaters are classic. Cashmere socks? To die for. Your man will be sock-hopping all over the house after slipping heaven onto his tired feet. At Garnet Hill, buy 5 pairs get the 6th pair free.
Happy Cloud coasters = happy tables. Protect your mahogany and oak, and grab a box of 6 for all those on your list!
We admit, we had to really study this sea animal suit before including it in our gift guide. Mostly because we had to find out if it came in adult sizes. The designer Vik Prjonsdottir does have some eclectic variations, but all agree it's perfect for kids. We can imagine how much joy would come from being encompassed by Icelandic sheep wool, and can guarantee this could be a hand-me-down for generations.
Prepare for power outages in style. These striped candles are drip-free and ultimately mess-free. Display them in a centerpiece or hit the lights for a romantic evening at home. We want a set in every color!
10. Red Blossom Tea
The Red Blossom Tea Company is a fantastic family owned shop located in Chinatown here in San Francisco. Importing teas from all over the world's most desirable growing communities, they specialize in loose leaf tea blends and their combinations are heavenly. We're definitely getting our tea lovers one of their curated collections this year, and just might pair it with a cozy knit mug!
Holiday Cuties
There are only a few things that get us through the craziness of the holidays without fail here at Hello!Lucky. One being the delicious treats our talented bakers and chefs bring to the office, and another is getting to see the adorable munchkins framed so nicely in the family photos. With all of the photo cards flying through here lately, sometimes we just have to stop and say, "Awwwee." We've compiled a non-juried assortment of some of the most awe-worthy kiddo's, and just can't help but give you a peek. These are in fact the real photos our customers used, so we're sending a big thanks to the families who let us share!
DIY Holiday Cards
If you've got a crafty thumb - or let's admit, if you have time to hand-assemble your holiday cards - you should definitely head over to The Inside Source for their DIY Holiday Greetings feature! You'll find various ways to bust out all of your holiday paper needs, including a paper box! You even get detailed instructions on how to make this adorable card by yours truly! Inspired by the accordion photo card, Gifted (illustrated by Susy Jack), this card is a one-of-a-kind gift in itself!
We love the vibrant colors and retro-inspired ornaments in these cards by How About Orange...
...and these typographic gift tags from Uppercase! They are perfect for gifts year-round, and are great for recycling your holiday cards from last year!
Be sure to check out the whole feature here, happy crafting!
Lucky List for the Fashionista
We might hardly see the sun in San Francisco but that doesn't mean we don't love to flaunt our favorite over-sized shades. This vintage styled pair evokes an air of glamor and mystery and are sure to impress any leading lady!
2. Arrow Bangle
Arrows seem to be everywhere lately, and what better way to rock the trend then with this sparkler around your wrist? Made of rose gold and black crystal, it plays nice with everything in her closet, from that little black dress to those skinny black jeans!
Meow! When we spotted (pun very much intended!) this gorgeous printed leather wallet is from one of our favorite local businesses, 49 Square Miles, we were all smitten kittens.
Certainly we've all coveted the red soled fabulousness of Christian Louboutin heels, but a pair that won't break the bank? Done! This digital print of an original ink illustration is frame-ready and just perfect for the shoe lover on your list.
That feisty society girl, Holly Golightly, sure knew a thing or two about throwing a festive soiree and her effortless style is sure to inspire fashion lovers and classic movie buffs alike.
Like the cherry in a Manhattan or the star atop the tree, perfectly polished nails are the ultimate finishing touch to your holiday ensemble. Nars is our pick for colorful tips and toes so make sure to grab a few extra for stocking stuffers!
Your ballet flats work hard the rest of the year, why not let them have a wild night out for the holidays by snapping on a pair of chiffon shoe clips! Even better, keep a pair in your purse for last minute party invites!
Ok, we'll admit it, we love sparkles. Glitter, sequins, even tinsel makes us squeal with delight! This dazzling scarf has just the right amount of bling for the office and then can be retied as a belt or a headband for after-hours fetes. Pair it with the shoe clips to be party ready in a flash!
9. Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick
Paint the perfect pout and grab some mistletoe. This stunner by Yves Saint Laurent feels amazing and will last through hours of sips, snacks and kisses!
300+ pages chock-full of the most glamorous photographs ever to grace the cover of the iconic fashion magazine. Herb Ritts, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon - all of fashion's heavy-hitters are represented along with behind the scenes details and stories from the shoots. Sure to look great on the coffee table and guaranteed not to sit unopened for long!
Personal Stationery for Everyone on Your List!
Despite the fact that (and perhaps because) we work with stationery every day, we sometimes forget what a nice gift personalized stationery can make, especially for those people who seem to have everything! Who doesn't love seeing their name in print, and with our new online customization tool, you can pick just the right color and font to match their style.
Here's a sampling of some of our picks for family members of all stripes this year!*
1. Wildflowers: For Aunt Susanne. She's a bird lover and persimmon is one of her favorite colors, so this design by Anne Smith was perfect!
2. London Skyline: For cousin Jonathan, an up-and-coming barrister in London, dignified and masculine.
3. Wild Rose: For Aunt Rose, who sends me a card for every known occasion and a few in between (recent accomplishments of cat, etc.). A large quantity, plus extra envelopes.
4. Honeysuckle: For cousin Elise, a history professor. She used this Honeysuckle design for her wedding invitations. These are in a different color, and I imagine it bringing back fond yet modern memories as she jots a note about medieval trade routes linking the kingdom of Northumbria to Strathclyde and Wales.
5. Daydream: For Stella, my tween niece. She probably passes notes by tweet, but as I'm sure her mother will agree, every young lady should be a mistress of correspondence!
6. Southern Belle: For my mother-in-law, Olivia, who loves to sunbathe in her garden - a lovely bouquet that could be a gift from one of her many garden gnomes.
7. Chrysanthemum: For my other mother-in-law, Sophia, a sparkling career woman with modern style: the chic and bold Chrysanthemum design.
Order by Dec. 18 and approve your design online, and we'll rush your order FREE for delivery by Dec. 23. And we'll gift wrap it for you if you like (enter code GIFT4U at checkout)!
So go ahead, cross them off your list!
Happy shopping! Sabrina
*all names have been changed, but these are real gifts!
Orders, Orders, Orders!
We're seeing tons of holiday orders printed and shipped from the H!L studio this week! It's definitely a peak time to order holiday cards, but there's still time to personalize your own. One of our most popular designs this year is the Greetings from San Francisco photo card. We think the kelly green and red color combination is especially festive!
Visit from Santa
Santa stopped by our studio this morning, just to say hello!
Featuring Julia Rothman and Giveaway!
We still have one more artist contributor to our 2011 Holiday Collection! We're excited to feature the very talented Julia Rothman! Julia is the rock star designer behind some of our most popular greeting cards and wedding invitations. We could go on and on about her genius illustrations and famous hand drawn style, but that would take days! We're constantly getting inspiration from her work and are delighted to have her as a part of Hello!lLucky designer team. Check out her book blog here!
What inspired your design for the holiday collection? Thinking about hot chocolate and warm mittens and cozy armchairs with fuzzy blankets and glowing fireplaces. I'm not a big fan of the cold weather but i like being warm knowing it's cold outside.
What are you currently working on?
Today I was working on a bunch of illustrations for a magazine. I'm excited to start to working on a book I am going to do about New York City next. Oh, and organizing. That is my New Years resolution- to get my office in better shape. I've tried to start the long process a little bit early to get a head start.
What influences your style the most?
That's hard to pinpoint. At some point I realized I really like drawings that seem like they are for kids, the style is playful and simple, but the audience is for adults. I like looking at vintage wallpaper designs and old children's book. But I think what influences me the most is what I see on a daily basis around me walking the streets; the people, clothing, store windows, architecture, patterns...
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
I like exchanging gifts with my friends. It's always really fun thinking up presents for them and I always know I will get a thoughtful gift in return.
Best holiday memory?
I used to help decorate my neighbors tree every year as a kid since we never had one. I liked hearing stories about all the ornaments and eating lots of cookies. One year she told me a ghost story and I was so scared and never forgot it.
To enter to win an assortment of 10 letterpress greeting cards designed by Julia Rothman, comment below telling us your best holiday memory! The winner will be chosen on Friday, December 9th at 12:00pm. Good luck!
**A winner has been chosen! Thanks for participating!**
Free Rush Turnaround!
Haven't gotten around to ordering your holiday cards yet? No worries! We're here to help. Save time and money on all orders over $100 and you'll get your holiday cards delivered just in time to send out to your friends and family. Be sure to order before midnight December 18th to save on this great deal! And visit our holiday shop here!
Lucky List for the Adventurer
So you may have seen these before. Whether in gift guides throughout the cyber web or stacked in your great uncles mudroom of his log cabin. They are popping up in styled shoots and still maintaining their humble practicality. These boots can do no wrong! Classic and cool, every person should own a pair.
A blanket like this is an investment. 100% wool and loomed in England, it's basically an 18th century antique! We love the simple primary colors, and that you'll want to hold on to this snuggle bunny forever.
3. Rite in the Rain Pocket Journal
Because we know you just can't wait to jot down the name of that rare owl you spotted while hiking in the woods, or sketch an image of the strangest looking fungi you've ever seen, this notebook will last in all wet weather conditions. You'll rest assured knowing your important notes are safe and dry inside this pocket pal. Perfect for stocking stuffers!
Another loyal weatherproof necessity! You never know when your campfire will be doused by a rainstorm, or you accidentally drop your backpack in the river and your only matches are soaked. These stormproof matches stay lit even after contact with water. You will be glad you brought them along!
Perhaps it's not the ultimate outdoor accessory, but it's definitely a treat for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether filled with spirits or hydrating fluids, a flask like this one makes a wonderful gift.
A classic tartan plaid hat makes even an inexperienced adventurer look like a pro. It's no secret that we love all things plaid, and would give one to all the manly men in our lives!
How many times can we say waterproof? Well, here it is again. Waterproof binoculars. This small and lightweight pair of snazzy magnifiers is sure to please any trailblazer.
Marmot is a name you can trust. We were delighted to print the invitations for the grand opening of the San Francisco store earlier this year, and ever since we've been hooked! A puffer vest like this will keep your friends and family warm, without looking like a marshmallow. Save those for the campfire!
No adventurer can go without a reliable headlamp. Especially a waterproof, LED light, built-to-perform-under-extreme-weather-conditions headlamp. Its strap is detachable, so clip it to a hat or belt as a two-in-one gift for your lucky guy or girl! And did we say waterproof?
10. Cooking Iron
Campfire grilled cheese. Fire roasted burgers. This cast iron handheld appliance will bring your camping menu from dull to delectable. Forget the hot dog on a stick, ensure your campsite is equipped with the ultimate cooking tools!