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.
Design Inspiration - Sugar Paper, Los Angeles
I'm a big fan of Sugar Paper's letter-press stationary. I must visit their store whenever I'm in Los Angeles.Before I said "arrivederci" to my Hollywood screenwriting career, my Los Angeles trips were a blur of pitches, general meetings, and being stuck in horrendous traffic.During my last trip, I was able to slow down a bit and really see Los Angeles. My feelings about Los Angeles have completely changed. I lived there for ten years and was so happy to get out. Now? I'm excited to spend time there. Not that excited about the thirteen-hour direct flight though.Sugar Paper is located in the Brentwood Country Mart. The market is worth checking out as well. In the past I've bought my stationary and rushed out the door to my next meeting.This time I had a lunch meeting at Farmshop in the Mart and the traffic gods had smiled upon me. I was very early. To be honest, my wallet was displeased with the turn of events.How lovely is this space?Renovated last year by the firm Life.Style., this update of the ten-year old shop is perfection. The stationary is the star of the show. The brass light fixtures are Thomas O'Brien and the fabric is from Peter Dunham. For more (and professional!) pictures of the project, the Life.Style. portfolio is here.Photos: Me and my iPhone