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playing with pattern
Love, love, love fall fashion. Such a concession for the cool days of fall. Although they are not on us yet (it’s still about 85 in Chicago) I’m so looking forward to boots, sweaters, scarves and pattern! This fall’s trends have got me thinking about paper, and how they might translate into wedding invitations. We’re diligently working away and plan to unveil some new designs at the Wedding Salon at Chicago’s Sofitel October 4th, but in the meantime, our August and September calendar pages (free downloads on our site) are previewing what’s on my mind….pattern! Download yours by signing up for our updates on our homepage. August’s is still up today, and September should be up shortly!
More fashion inspiration coming next week!
Posted on September 1st, 2010 | No Comments »
new press
Many thanks to Charlotte Rivers for including us in her Little Book of Letterpress, published by Chronicle Books in the US, and retitled as Reinventing Letterpress, published by RotoVision in the UK.
We are honored to be among the very best in letterpress printing and design! Showcased in the book was Meredith and Ryan’s Denim and Periwinkle hand drawn custom wedding invitation.
You can order your book here.
Posted on August 30th, 2010 | No Comments »
Simple Indulgence: relaxation
Lazy days of August… Hope you’re doing a whole lot of nothing sometime this week.
Etiquette – How to set the table
We are very laid-back people here at Sarah Drake Design, but we do enjoy some luxury from time-to-time, whether it be a lavish massage, linen bedding, lovely letterpress stationery, or in this case- a properly set table. Here is what you need to know before you host your own dinner party.
The charger, the largest plate in a china set, is used to hold the place and is to be removed when the first course–usually the salad, is served. For more informal meals, or if you do not require (or own) a charger, the dinner plate works just as well. Silverware should all be spaced evenly apart, which is about a half an inch. Salad fork, then dinner fork go on the left side, while the knife and spoon go on the right side of the plate. The (monogrammed) linen dinner napkin should lay to the left of the forks–it should not touch the silverware. A glass water goblet should go right above the knife, and the wine glass just to the right of that- a glass for white and red if space allows.
Obviously, this is for formal affairs and special occasions, but this knowledge is certainly useful, especially when instructing children how to set the table on a normal dinner night. I am constantly surprised at the mayhem I discover when I ask my kids to set: napkins strewn across the plate, knives on the left side, upside down forks, you name it! They scoff at my “momness” and think etiquette is useless, but I’m sure someday they’ll thank me when invited to their first “meet the parents” and they know exactly where the napkin goes after they sit down. (it’s in the lap!)
What do you think? Is etiquette important? or too rigid?
Posted on August 20th, 2010 | No Comments »
Simple Indulgence: Summer Fruit
Some people crave a huge slice of chocolate cake, others crave a big bowl of ice cream, I…. well, I also crave those things, but sometimes all I want is a big helping of fresh fruit. In my opinion, summer produce is the best. Blueberries, strawberries, cherries, watermelon… they are all just as delectable as the next. But, like all good things, summer, and it’s sweet fruit, is soon coming to an end.
Make the most of what time we have left with the fresh summer goodies. I’ve been adding blueberries to about everything. I don’t know what I will add to my morning yogurt in the fall…
Photo: Elizabeth Messina
Our lovely friend, Caroline, has an amazing recipe for Summer Berry Pudding on her blog, where you can find the recipe among a plethora of other delicious treats.
The beauty of letterpress
Everyone has heard the wedding phrase that states one must incorporate “something old” into their special day. Well, why not in the invitation?
Letterpress dates back to the fifteenth century, when it was the only form of printing. In this digital age, we spend countless hours staring at a flat computer screen which prints flat pieces of paper. Where is the romance and novelty in that? Run your fingers along a gorgeous letterpress invitation and instantly get swept away in a true love story, between paper and press.
That is why we love letterpress here – Your guests will appreciate the care and work that went into the invitation, and you’ll display it with pride. And never throw it away.
Blind Stamping is the ultimate in utilizing letterpress to show the true beauty of the process and the design- no ink required.
Our friends at Rohner Letterpress make it easy on us to produce perfect invitations every time.
Posted on August 5th, 2010 | No Comments »
Arlington Park
Just a short Metra train ride out of Chicago can take you back decades in time to an era of class and sophistication… kind of seeing a trend here with my last “Mad Men” post. Anyways, I recently made the trek out of the city to Arlighton Park Racetrack and instantly fell in love with the setting’s unique charm.
Horse racing has been a huge part of Chicago’s history since the early 1800s, and the tradition lives on thanks to Arlington Park. Men in bow ties and women in giant hats occupy the stands hoping to win money on their horse of choice. My personal strategy-pick the one with the weirdest name, but don’t take my advice if you are looking to get lucky.
Originally, this invitation was inspired by Tonia’s inspiration board on Style Me Pretty. We’re so excited that they are available on our site now! And, be sure to plan a trip to Arlington Park Racetrack soon too!
Posted on July 30th, 2010 | No Comments »
Mad Men Style for the Modern Man
I have to admit, I don’t watch the show, Mad Men, but I am obsessing over their wardrobe choices. I’m hoping that the modern man takes a cue from the show which features old-school fashions with classy, well-fitted suits-the kind of style that exudes an aura of elegance and sophistication. I happened to notice that all of the lead actors’ suits are properly paired with a handkerchief in their front pocket.
Looking to duplicate the same old-school charm? Well, look no further. Here at Sarah Drake Design, we have a product that will do just that-our custom monogrammed handkerchief. Can you think of anything more polished and classy? Didn’t think so. Don Draper would definitely approve.
Sarah Drake Design Monogrammed Handkerchief
It’s raining cats and dogs
Unsure about using your dog in your wedding ceremony? Worried he won’t behave appropriately?
Luckily, there is a way to include your favorite four-legged critter in your wedding without all that unpredictability- in the invitation and paper design, of course!
Our own custom design for Phoebe and Andrew
Great everyday cards from Pancake & Franks
Adorable animal themed invitation and escort cards at a Central Park Wedding- Mr. Boddington
Fanciful unicorns in our first crest
Summer = Fun
Last year, my friend aptly coined her summer, the Summer of Fun. She basically needed to work less, enjoy friends more, and beg off and go to the beach once in a while. Well, this summer for me is the same. I’m saying yes to every invitation in an attempt to experience more, see my friends and basically just have more fun. During a Target excursion this weekend we saw these huge balls, and thought, wouldn’t it be a blast to just mail them as is? No packaging? Just open your door and there it is? “Fun with Mail” was definitely falling under my new Summer of Fun priority. And, who better to receive these than my nieces and nephew, aged 1, 3 and 6.
I had heard that you can put an address on anything and just drop it in the mail. But after scanning the USPS website yesterday, couldn’t find anything to back up the rumor. So, this morning, we addressed the balls and made a trip to the post office. I was a little nervous that we would get the eyeroll/sigh tretment, but was pleasantly surprised by my local Postman! He very kindly took the balls, with out any of the aforementioned eye rolling or sighing, and said, “Well, this will be fun to get in the mail, won’t it?” and even allowed me to snap a photo. Don’t I have the most AWESOME post office?
Let’s see if they make it! Anyone have any other fun things they’ve sent or received in the mail?
It was too early for Charlie to be very photogenic