HOW DID YOU KNOW?

Loving these all-occassion thank you cards from stripe & field...

Such a sweetly chic way to express a little gratitude for pretty little gifts or thoughtful acts.

IF I COULD, I'D GIVE YOU LA LUNE...

So in love with this simple and sweet print... With so many of my friends having little wee ones in their lives, I'm constantly looking for pretty nursery ideas, and I think this one falls into that category! After all, who doesn't want to give their child the moon?

*available at double merrick

LITTLE RED CHAIRS

Love...

And adore...


*limited edition print by cartlolese letterpress (sold out) and image via decorpad

Apartment 34 Sponsor {Bella Card Company}

You may have noticed that I have quite the passion for paper. Noteards, calendars, envelopes, business cards - you name it - I love to touch it, hold it and examine its design and craftmanship.

That's why I'm thrilled to welcome Bella Card Company as our newest blog sponsor!




all images via bella card company

Bella Cards owner and designer Alicia Clinton describes her style as simple, clean, and modern. I love that her goal is to "bring beauty back into snail mail." I'm all for that. It is amazing what a simple note can do to brighten someone's day!

How long has it been since you sent a hand written card to someone special? If you'd like to make your snail mail pretty check out Bella Card's shop. Alicia is generously offering a back-to-school discount of 10% for Apartment 34 readers using code: APT34.

Be sure you check out their blog for even more inspiration!

If you would like to reach thousands of editors, writers, stylish bloggers and savvy online shoppers then consider sponsoring Apartment 34. We are offering a fall sponsorship special of up to 50% off stand rates through September. Email apt34(at)gmail(dot)com for more information today!

GIVEAWAY! BOW + ARROW PAPERIE

Am I the only one who's so addicted to the luxury of letterpress cards that I have a whole stash of them in my office just waiting for a special occasion to be used? I didn't think so...

Which is why I'll never tire of discovering new letterpress shops on Etsy, like Bow and Arrow! I love these pretty little goods in perfect shades of teal and lavender, but my favorite design is this modern flamestitch ikat that's just perfect for an interior designer (such as moi) to be writing little notes to clients and colleagues, don't you think?

Whatever your preference, this is your chance to win a set of your favorite! To enter this sweet little giveaway from Bow and Arrow, please pop over to their store to preview all their designs. Then, leave a comment here answering this easy question: If you were to purchase any card from Bow and Arrow, which would would it be for and what would it say?

We'll pick the winner on Friday! Good luck!

SERIES SUBMISSION: ARTIST DU JOUR

You may remember that while I was sunning myself in beautiful Mexico (feels like ages ago) I posted submissions from bloggers applying to be regular series contributors here on coco+kelley. Well, this week I'll be posting round two of these posts, starting with a piece that I think would be a welcome focus here from Michelle LeClerc - a series focused on highlighting artists of every kind!

A...
is for awesome. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I see the work of Typographer and Illustrator Jessica Hische. Hailing from Brooklyn New York, Jessica's hand-drawn letterforms are so sweet I want to sprinkle them on my cereal with a side of chocolate milk.
It's no secret that the deep indentation created by letterpress printing over soft cotton paper is a must-have for wedding announcements. Jessica's Hendrix Invitation Suite takes this time-tested technique to another level, accenting it with calligraphy so precise, the only word to describe it is criminal. (Available through www.bellafigura.com) These printed posters are a gorgeous tribute to type specimen pages. Highlighted by a wooden frame or alone, the color combination is welcome in almost any living room or office palette.Other highlights from Jessica's store include letter-pressed Viney Alphabet posters and individual Daily Drop Cap prints. Whether decorating your wall or paired with a red velvet cupcake, these pieces of visual candy are certain to cure any sweet tooth.

*Images via jessicahische.com & bellafigura.com

Don't forget - you, my readers have a voice in this process. I want to hear what you think of every post and series idea, so comment away! And, thank you Michelle for highlighting a lovely artist!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR...

I know I'm a little ahead of myself with this post, but for the first time in years I'm actually excited for Valentines Day. Not because of the holiday (it makes me cringe), but because it will be the one-year anniversary of my first date with the boy! So, needless to say, I'm actually looking forward to celebrating...
Combining my love for these spring trend colors (from pantone) and a peach+red Valentine's day combo, I'd love to start the evening in a fabulous dress, and end up in those adorable and comfy ruffle cami and shorts. Preferably with some love notes, jewelry, and pillow talk in between! So, thank you for indulging my slight twitterpation with this usually despised holiday this year my dears... it will be special one for me!

TAG TEAM

You don't need fancy paper with tags like these...
I'd pair the first with white, silver or navy. The second? Red. Definitely red.

*tags by linda & harriet and letters lubell

IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKS...

Many of you have left me little comments or tweets about how much you're liking the new menu bar below my coco+kelley banner, so I have to give a little shout out and thank you to Ms. Jessica Nell who I first became 'friends' with through her blog, The Love List...
She's the one who designed and implemented the menu, and she's a doll to work with. Her company, Front Porch Studios, is a full service graphic design company, able to create beautiful banners and headers...
As well as business cards, invitations, websites, and more! So, if you're searching for someone to give your blog or business a fresh design, I'd highly recommend her! Thanks Jess!!

Tag It and Bag It

I love the little details in life. A well-placed stack of magazines, a throw tossed over a chair just so, or the perfect ribbon to top off a well-wrapped package make all the difference in the world.

I think the holidays must be on my mind because great gift tags are catching my eye today.

Like these sweet little numbers from Faded Plains would be great to mark a birthday or anniversary.

I would love to tie these gorgeous zinc cards from Un Esprit en Plus on a fall buffet as food labels. 

Adding a personal note never looked so good than with custom card from Duet Letterpress that attach with a mini-clothespin!

But of course a picture is worth a thousand words as these tags by Sara Norris illustrate so beautifully. 

spotted on simple song and simply grove

Hope you're able to enjoy some fun details today!

C+K Sponsor: Dana Cordova

We've got a few new fabulous sponsors members here at coco+kelley, one of which is Dana, who came to me by way of one of my favorite people, which kinda makes me love her and her work double...
The talented gal behind Dana Cordova Design has a serious eye for creating fresh and modern invitations and other printed materials (I'm pretty sure she does it all!) with her own unique style.
I especially love this glam and bold design for a recent wedding that included ALL the extras (thank you notes? programs? done and done). The best part? All coco+kelley readers will receive 20% off a first time package for the rest of the month! So, if you're throwing a party, planning a wedding, having a baby... time to get your details together and send them off because this is one amazing deal!

For more of her portfolio, pop over to Dana's blog, and take advantage of her seriously reasonable packages.

Gorgeous, Glamorous Gadabout

For a gal who is completely addicted to notecards, I sure haven't been blogging about them much lately! So, allow to me to share one of my new favorite finds - Gadabout. The designs are so chic, and completely customizable...
Perfect little cards for an interior designer, don't you think? I would love writing little thank you notes to my clients on these!
For the fashionista - why not a little design of you in your favorite ensemble? Oh sweet vanity. Don't you love the little addition of color, and the subtle monogram?I especially love the idea of capturing some favorite jewelry pieces. How personal! For more designs, check out Hanna's blog which is where she currently sells her pieces. I love the way she describes her work...

"My prints are a collection of what I've found and what I'd like to find. They are glances of where I've been and where I hope to go. They are familiar and foreign, eclectic and classic. But, most of all they speak of the life of a Gadabout, a traveler, an aimless pleasure seeker, and the first one to know that a hand written note should always follow."

Gorgeous Garlands...

The bed I have at the moment was my grandmother's, and is so not my style. The oversized frame and headboard make it a little overwhelming, and formal, so to soften things up I've been thinking about draping delicate paper garlands across the strong wood...

sources: *1. amanda pratt *2. my little way *3. kate greiner *4. tim evan cook

sources *1. birds of a feather *2. sarah silver *3. erez sabag *4. perch papiers

sources: *1. royal buffet *2. michael thompson *3. koi suwannagate *4. royal buffet

Wouldn't they look lovely draped across the curves and posts of the bed?

The Queen of Cards

I've been meaning to share with you all my new business cards, created by my friend and super talented designer, Chelsea, who has her own little company here in Seattle called Suite 7 Creative.

She did such an amazing job of capturing the style of coco+kelley with this fun design, and was great at taking the general concept I started with and turning it into a fabulous card. I get complimented on it every time I pull one out! (Psst - she also did my banner!) My favorite part...

Yay for my little mantra! When Chelsea isn't designing custom cards and invitations, she's filling up her Etsy shop with fun little goodies like these cute Valentine's Day cards...

And keeping up her own little blog as well! If you're looking for a custom designer in Seattle, I would highly recommend her for any projects, and if you're lucky enough to live here, you can also pick up her cards being sold at our favorite little Queen Anne coffee shop, Muse. Happy shopping!

Luphia Studio: Christmas Cards & Reader Discount!

Remember last week when I admitted I had yet to purchase my Christmas cards? Well, shortly after that I received an email from Tina at Luphia Studio asking if I'd like her to send along some of the designs she had created for her own holiday cards. Um, yes please!!

They arrived just the other day, from all the way across the pond, and I absolutely adore them:

Don't you love how people in the UK say Happy Christmas?! I DO!

I also love the lyrics to this song, so how better to wish friends and family a happy holiday?

Want to get some of your own? Well, you're in luck because Tina has a few left that she's offering in her Etsy shop and she's offering coco+kelley readers 30% off the cards and 15% off the prints! Just enter the code "coco+kelley" at checkout in the notes. Happy Holidays m'dears!

Season's Greetings?

Confession time: I don't have my holiday cards yet for this year. And it's officially December. What on earth am I thinking?

Usually, I stock up during the post-holiday sales so I'm all set for the following year, but apparently I skipped this step last year and am now left with a mishmash of cards from past years which does me no good.

I've been thinking about these...

Totally non-traditional and super fun from Kate Spade, but before I do... I'm wondering what my lovely readers might have to suggest? What cards are your favorites this year? Help a girl out, and if I pick your design... well, maybe they'll be a little something in it for you!? 'Tis the season after all...

Coming A - Calling!

I'm considering printing up some calling cards. I guess they could be called business cards, but that just sounds so... corporate. Not really what I'm about.

So I've been looking around...

And I really love these little animals from iomoi (I kinda have a thing for monkeys... random.), and these are so FUN! But I have a feeling they're that kinda fun where you fall in love with some ridiculous sparkly dress that you wear to Vegas once and then never wear it again... you know?

I also think that these designs by Enfin La Voila are super sweet. I love their vintage feel! But super sweet just ain't me... I need something with a touch of glam to it!

I adore this card, but again... not quite what I was going for. Not because I don't LOVE the whole vintage bicycle thing, but it's just that now they're everywhere. Plus, I'm not sure bicycle says "high style"... which is sorta what I want my card to say.

Which means, I'm probably just going to have to go design my own. Stay tuned... this project has officially been added to the list!

Time to Motivate!

Emily at Orange Beautiful just let me know that they've just released a second edition of their Motivate Prints...


If you love one, get it fast! They sold out in two weeks the first time around.


You have no idea how much I need this one right now! Lots and lots of packing to do...

You're Invited...

I've never thought of myself as having a wedding that would carry any sort of theme, but as I started building my inspiration board and, especially thinking about my invitations, I realized that having some kind of motif certainly helps (and seems a little inevitable!).

bouquet: martha stewart, invitation: minted.com

Any 'theme' worth putting on paper should have a meaning, and the olive branch has always been one of my favorites. Not only does it remind me of Italy, but is a symbol of peace ~ something we would all hope for in a happy marriage!

cake: martha stewart, invitation: minted.com, monograms: thornwillow.com

A traditionalist at heart, I plan on taking my husband's name, so a monogram has always appealed to me as part of not only an invitation but something that could be carried throughout the wedding decor, and used after the wedding for stationery and engraved pieces.

top invitation: etsy.com, bottom invitation: via snippet & ink, cups: by cake on supermarkethq.com

A more recent theme that I fell in love with after seeing these black & white ceramic cups is that of the swallow. I love the symbolism behind them ~ especially the part of being independent, but always returning home. They are a sweet idea for an invitation, and one that I could also see carried throughout the wedding.

So, what do you think? While all of these themes will be carried throughout the wedding, only one will make the cut for the invitation. Which is your favorite?

MadeByGirl Made My Day

Many of you in the blog world know Jennifer Ramos as the gorgeous face and very talented woman behind MadeByGirl.

Well, the lovely Ms. Jen has been so kind as to donate one of her LOVE candy posters as a prize to the winner of my Inspiration Board Contest, adding the perfect final touch to this package of goodies.

She and I share an affection for anything printed with 'LOVE' on it ~ like pillows and necklaces and other such goodies. So, I only thought it fitting for a wedding contest to add a touch of love! The winner will get to pick their color.

Thank you SO much Jen for your generosity! If you haven't seen her line of cards, pop over to her site! They're made from 100% recycled paper, which makes them even more special, and you can see her full line of posters as well.