Taking My Holiday Salutations To The Next Level With Paperless Post

I always sent holiday cards when I lived in the States. Growing up it was a big deal as my parents had a very long list.  They would also enclose handwritten letters to our family in the Caribbean.  I loved sending and receiving cards.  This was a tradition I hoped to continue once I moved to Italy.I was so naive back then.  So naive!I heard that the Italian postal system was not the most efficient.  However, I was surprised to receive Christmas cards in March, April, etc. or not at all.  I mailed my cards in November just in case.  It didn't matter, half my cards would show up long after the holidays were over.Then there's the cost.  It's two euros/two dollars and thirty-five cents for a single stamp to the United States or to the Caribbean. It was annoying spending money on cards that did not arrive on time or were lost.A lot of my friends in Hollywood use for invitations, announcements, and cards.  I've personally never used the brand but adored what I had received. I say this as a person who's a hardcore stationary fan.  When Anagram Interactive asked me if I would be interested in using their client's website, I was excited to try it out for myself.Paperless Post's website is very easy to use.  Hello, nobody has time to decipher websites that are more complicated than filling out a tax return.  There's a wide variety of cards to choose from. Some of the cards are free and cards can be customized for a small additional cost.  Paperless Post has collaborated with several designers (including some of my favorites) as well as having an in-house design team.With so many options you'd think it would be overwhelming to make a decision. Nope, there are filters to help you narrow your selection by color, designer, card shape, greetings, etc.  Below are some of my picks for the cocktail party I'm not having thanks to a leak in my apartment (long story).Here are some of my picks for holiday cards:You also have the option of adding your own photo, or photos, to a card:Paperless Post started selling both digital and paper versions in 2012 after receiving many requests from their customers.  Brilliant idea, especially for those customers who are sending wedding invitations. They may have relatives or family friends who prefer paper invites.It's clear that the young founders of Paperless Post have put a great deal of thought into the design of the cards and the site in general.  They've combined beauty and function. Very impressed.Note: I've been given this product to review in collaboration with Anagram Interactive. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by Anagram Interactive or Paperless Post. 

A Few Dinner Plates For A Thanksgiving Table

Many people back in the States have asked me what I'm doing on Thursday.I'm working.  Thanksgiving is an American holiday.If I had an oven/kitchen/apartment bigger than a shoebox, I would host a Thanksgiving dinner but on Saturday (which is what the majority of expats do here).My future apartment will have more space and I will entertain more.In the meantime, I can admire these lovely plates that would be perfect for my Thanksgiving dinners.For an informal table:The Marbury Dinnerware Collection from Crate and Barrel.  You can put a charger underneath with more color or a pattern.The Charlotte Street Collection from Kate Spade.  I had to have at least one white plate with blue trim. The Eclectique Dinner plate from Williams-Sonoma.   It's a pretty dish made in France. For a more formal table:The Renaissance Collection by Wedgewood.    A classic.Anmut Platinum by Villeroy & Boch.   One word... elegant. The American Dinner plate by Hermès.    The blues are gorgeous.Hmmm, not seeing a lot of variety here.I do appreciate china with flowers but for my table I tend to keep it simple because my floral arrangements are colorful.  Also, I like to mix and match my dinnerware.  Having plates in a similar color palette makes the table more cohesive.For those who are celebrating, I hope you have a fantastic and Happy Thanksgiving.      

Weekend Inspiration - Kate Spade + Bicycles + Shutters On The Beach = Stylish Fun

It's a cloudy, rainy day in Rome.To be honest, I'm so over the rainy season it's not funny.  Perhaps living in sunny Los Angeles for ten years has ruined my ability to cope with normal winter weather.I went to college in Upstate New York.  I'm from the East Coast.  Now all of a sudden I'm a big wimp when it comes to the weather?  I really need to stop complaining about the cold because in a few months it will be too hot.It's Oscar weekend.  One of the most fun events is the Independent Spirit Awards, which were held under a big tent in Santa Monica with the after party at Shutters On The Beach Hotel.The last time I went to the party, a friend and I kept following bumping into Daniel Craig. It was a glorious day.Unfortunately, the upcoming forecast is not so glorious...  rain for the next five days.  Clearly, there will be no stylish bike riding for me this weekend.Buon weekend a tutti![youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XNfVoVhc7M&w=560&h=315]