The Paper Pod

Woah, July

Wowzers, July was a busy month. I feel like I blinked and it was over! I also feel like I celebrated all-month-long!

My first birthday celebration was with my wonderful Mother and Father-In-law. I definitely lucked out in the “in-law” department because they are super awesome. We had a wonderful steak dinner at Carvers followed by presents and cocktails back at the Pod. Oh man, we laughed so hard!

Bets and Tbear, aren’t they cuties?

Adam’s longest and very best friend got hitched! It was a hot day but no one minded with all the love that was in the air. I mean just look at these two!

The Mr & Mrs right after their ceremony.

Angela and I celebrated our birthday together over our favorite NY Style Bagel sandwiches. Even though her gift did not arrive in time, she didn’t mind just opening a few of her smaller gifts.

Don’t mind Toby, he was hoping to score some of the Better Mades.

Then I became an AUNT! I don’t have many words to say about this as I really didn’t do anything for this event to happen but I can tell you this: I love my nephew so much already and I’m so happy he’s arrived in my life. 

Emitt is already stealing hearts, just look at his face!

Made a trip to my favorite bar in the Oregon District, Blind Bob’s, to have some drinks on my birthday. It was low key and exactly how I wanted to spend the evening of my 30th!

Hello ladies!

Then I had a surprise trip to NYC! Tops my chart of weekend getaways. Thanks, baby!

Birthday dinner at Gordon Ramsay at the London NYC

I ended my birthday celebrations with a fabulous girls night out in my home city of Cleveland, aka #30andfab for those on twitter! The evening might have started off with a hiccup (hotel was without ac which meant they were closed causing us to reroute Cupcake and Cocktail hour and sleeping arrangements) but we had a blast anyway!

there were pretty pink flowers..

and awesome custom favors from Pure Enchantment…

an amazing assortment of cheeses…

thoughtful (and handmade) gifts…

Stella & Dot…

yummy sweets…

family..

friends..

dinner at Luxe..

and dancing!

Thank you besties, I’m so lucky to have gals like you in my life!

And if this post isn’t long enough I want to share the LPD goals I crushed this month! If you recall they were:

1. Finish custom banner. Check!
2. Finish wedding invite order. Check!
3. Reopen shop (check!) with at least 5 new designs. Sorta check?

I was only able to list 4 new designs. While I did make 5 designs, one was purchased before I could list it. So it sorta worked out right? In case you haven’t been to my shop in awhile let me show you these beauts!

And this one of a kind that has already been sold:

How was your July?

Introducing Carrie!

Gosh, it seems like for-ev-er ago that Carrie and I discussed her vision for unique thank you cards for her bridal party. Carrie and Brian tied the knot last weekend which means two things:

1. I can share with you this beautifully fun design
2. A new listing for my shop

Carrie’s wedding colors were so fun: navy and lime green with hints of purple, yellow and white. Her wedding invitations showcased a pretty paisley design that encompassed all these colors. Carrie told me the feel for their wedding was “classic but casual and fun”. I think this design came to me in the middle of the night because I woke up with the perfect idea..

Carrie and Brian both loved the design and the order was fulfilled. And then we waited…

And waited some more until after their big day for me to introduce you to Carrie’s Thank Yous!

I took their design and tweaked it to accommodate the needs of my shop.

Aren’t the fun? And the photograph so well! Bright colors with rich layers. One of my most favorite designs of 2011!

Lilly’s Lottery: LOVE HATE WISH

I honestly can’t believe its May 18^th. The almost six months of 2011 have been a pretty full glass.

* Purchased our first house (with complementary encyclopedia sized to-do lists)

* Landed a great job. (even though I had to give up my pt status)

* Expecting to be an Aunt.  (excited would be an understatement)

* Planning a trip to China (29 days to be exact)

* Planning weddings & all the fun associated leading up to the Big Day. (can’t wait)

The above news has really kept life moving, there is ALWAYS something that needs to be accomplished. Plus you know- the daily life duties of eating right, keeping up with the house and working out. The downside is my Etsy shop has really been neglected. Sob.

Even though I look at Etsy daily, today I actually looked at my shop. I had about 65 expired listings. Ouch! I decided to only relist half of them due most of them being holiday cards. Regardless my stock is low and desperately needs some fresh inventory. (eek, Valentine’s was the last time I designed something new for the shop)

Remember back in January when Lilly Pea Designs donated custom stationary for A Slice of Kiwi and Alana from The Dawg’s Dish won? Ever since that day I’ve wanted to host my own giveaway. Such day is here! [pause for roaring cheers]

Here’s the Skinny- browse my shop, let me know something you love or hate or wish I had- or all three! To play all you have to do is leave me a comment! Examples:

LOVE: “I love ‘Perfect Pair’- the card is so cute” (+1 entry)

HATE: “Eco is so plain, blah” (+1 entry)

WISH: “I would love to see cards for expecting moms” (+1 entry)

And of course if you tweet (+1), retweet (+1), reblog (+1) or become a facebook fan (+1) are other ways to play. Just make sure you letter a girl know whatcha did (by leaving.. another comment!) ps- I’m @lillypea 

Enter as much as you like until Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 8pm when I’ll randomly select the winner of five handpicked handmade greeting cards!