08 December 2009

designed: Holiday Fairs in NYC

oh man, y'all where have I been?!?! I've been stamping, of course, and I've been using my visual merchandising skillz (tee hee) at the Holiday Fair in Grand Central Station. Yeah, that's right. Grand Central. What a cool freaking place to work. You can check out a cool article about it in Time Out New York (psst- there is a picture of the shop I decorated in the actual magazine article!) I've been decorating up a storm, pictures of the Christmas extravaganza are on the way, soon.
And until next week when I have time to start eating and sleeping again, the blog will be a little, oh how should I say... neglected. :( All I am doing is getting ready for the 3rd Ward Holiday Craft Fair which is on Saturday. Here is a little info about the Fair for all my NYC peeps that are interested from the folks at 3rd Ward.

Make an event out of holiday shopping this year at:

The Handmade Holiday Craft Fair!!! Where giving really is better than receiving

December 12, noon to 6 p195 Morgan Avenue
- Presented by 3rd Ward & Brooklyn Based,
this year's craft fair will be our biggest yet! We’ll have two floors
full of goods & treats from over 120... local artisans, craft mavens
& culinary masters. PLUS live music from Raya Brass Band, a continuous holiday mix of cult classics in video & audio from VJ Clay Franklin, FREE COFFEE from Gimme!, delicious drinks, tasty treats and free workshops & demos. The first 300 guests to arrive will receive free tote bags specially designed by acclaimed illustrator Fernanda Cohen full
of special gifts from our vendors. (THERE WILL BE COOKIES FROM SHANNA AND ME!) Plus for no extra charge, you can
get your old t-shirts screened with our awesome prints and get your
picture taken & make your holiday wishes at our holiday photobooth.



The Handmade Holiday Craft Fair has something for everyone:

Custom cut clothes
& jewelry, clocks and electronics, bathing suits and lingerie, baby
clothes and toys, furniture & houseware, cookies, chocolates &
cheese, wrapping paper & cards, pillows & soaps, hats, scarves,
gloves and more!



Free Demos & workshops from 3rd Ward's education program will include:

Handmade
Skincare, Wire Wrapping: Making Old Jewelery New, DIY Printing Methods,
Heat Printing on Fabrics, How to Make your own Textiles with Textile
Arts Center and more!



RSVP events@3rdward.com



For more information visit www.3rdward.com/events

sounds fun, huh? Heck yes it does! I am so excited I can hardly wait. OK, so back to the sparkly glittery grind.
xo Lea

19 November 2009

accepted: ME!

Shanna of Daughter Sharp Cookies and your's truely got ACCEPTED to the Handmade Holiday Craft Fair on December 12th from 12-6 at 3rd Ward!!! It's an awesome art space in Bushwick. Must get busy, holy crap! Hope to see all you New Yorkers there! WOO HOO!!!
xo Lea

17 November 2009

shopped: an afternoon in Brooklyn

I decided to do a little window/Christmas shopping the other day. I live in Brooklyn and I love the stores we have in North BK. Williamsburg is a great place to shop for unique gifts. The first place I went to is A&G Merch

here are some of the things that caught my eye...


temporary wall paper! Awesome for renters, like moi, and it doesn't require any glue, so super easy to install. I'm 99.9% sure that the gray and cream graphic print one in the middle is going here

Yup, that's right in MY entryway. It will be the perfect accent in there.

I also spotted a pretty neat pillow with a Brooklyn Bridge graphic, and even if this isn't a new idea, I think on a black, gray or white couch, it would look tres chic. It would be awesome as a neutral accent on a brightly colored piece too. And plus its cool to represent, yo.

oh, and I loved this idea, a traditional table painted glossy black with graffiti accents on it. I really love the contrast of traditional and modern or urban design. If my living room was wide enough for a coffee table, I would strongly consider this one.

one last pic from A&G Merch, this is some 3D wall art and an awesome clock that M and I both really liked, perfect for an office or fun in a kitchen, I think.


After A&G, we walked over to Whisk

which it is a cute gourmet kitchen store with some really great stuff, I dabble a bit in the kitchen and I love cookbooks, so Whisk is right up my alley.


such a great store, lots of cool gadgets. And as a random little aside, they have mini muffin paper baking cups! Do you know how hard those are to find??!? I was looking for them twice just recently... If only I had known.
But the best find of the entire day were these!

alphabet cookie cutters! Just think of all the fun things to do with that! I'm thinking 4-letter word cookies for all my bitches (that's how me and my BFFs refer to each other) and my Mom is a cookie baking extraordinaire and I think her initials and these cute little measuring spoons

will be a darling gift for her birthday!
Well, time to get back to work making tons o Christmas cards...
xo Lea

entertained: a fabulous fall drinkfest

I collaborated with Jen this weekend to help her throw a killer cocktail party. She is another gal, formerly from the South, who loves to entertain and is an amazing artist, check out her website! She wanted to do something with a fall theme and decided this shindig was to be a fun fall Drinkfest! Oh yeah, we love to party. I started off gathering a little inspiration


to get our brains a' stormin' and we also had to do a little space planning because this is New York City and most of us live in freakishly small apartments. Here is what Casa Clown Car looks like...


Yeah, um, its TINY! So we decided to keep the hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen, 1. because that was easy and 2. because it had the most horizontal surfaces... I know that food in the kitchen isn't really, ummm, that innovative but what is cool is how we kept the guests from bottle necking in the kitchen. We put the bar in the bedroom!

Which is on the other side of the apartment. We also moved the furniture to create a big open space for gathering and a few groupings of seating for conversations when your feet start hurting from your fab heels. That afternoon we went to pick up some flowers for me to make a few simple arrangements

(don't you just love the tiara in the background? It makes an appearance for all the parties)

As for the menu, we made these delicious apple spiced muffins with walnuts and cream cheese frosting (like the ones I mentioned here) and some seriously delicious butternut squash soup "shots"

and salmon topped with caviar on baguette with sea salt and honey, sour cream rolls (aka: crack rolls, aka: fatten you right up rolls), an awesome cheese plate (we got the cheese at Murray's which is a stinky lil slice o' heaven right in the West Village) and last but not least we had some delicious fig and ricotta treats from none other than Shanna of Daughter Sharp Cookies!
oh, and did I mention that we just HAD to taste test all the cocktails a few days before we could officially commit!?!? (we take this stuff seriously, folks) We decided to go with Bourbon & Cider punch, Champagne Pomegranate Cocktails and Blood Orange Screwdrivers.

And so folks, it looks like we had done a pretty good job of fixing ourselves up a swanky affair. And it was a blast! Thanks Jen (and Joe, her other half) for the fun times!!!! You guys rock!
xo Lea

09 November 2009

applied: 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair

so I applied to the 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair this weekend! I'm sooooo hope I get picked! I will be sharing a booth with Daughter Sharp Cookies, yay! cookies! We will hear back from them by the 17th. Here are a few of the pictures I sent in... Wish us LUCK! xo Lea


06 November 2009

designed: a new name

hey! so y'all probably noticed that I changed my name. My company is now called PAPER+SPACE! It's a better representation of what I'm really all about.

PAPER is all about the stationary, fun cards and beautiful invitations.
SPACE is for design, interiors and organization AND party planning!

I really worked hard on coming up with an idea that was fun and totally me. What do you think?

Today besides all the awesome name change business, I'm photographing the cards to enter a crafts fair right here in BUSHWICK at the 3rd Ward! It was so cool last year, I really hope we get picked.

And who is the other person making up the WE, you might be wondering? Why its Shanna from Daughter Sharp Cookies and she is sharing a table with me! So delicious cookies and cards!


Oh yeah, watch out! TWO crafty ladies, formerly from the South, are gonna make Christmas rockin' this year!

And just for a bit of fun... I snapped a pic of my helpers

they are working so hard...

ok Loves, back to making my dreams happen!
xo Lea

05 November 2009

entertained: a winter wedding

I have the pleasure of working on a lovely winter wedding that is just a month away. It is going to be a fabulous wedding and there will be pictures and posts galore, but I thought I would share a few of the special touches that are making this wedding such a personal and elegant affair.

The ceremony will be held outdoors (this is only possible way down South where generally December is still quite temperate) in front of a giant freestanding stone fireplace. An article about the this awesome fireplace is in last months issue of Southern Living.



The fireplace will be surrounded by a forest of lighted Christmas trees cut from the bride's family lodge in North Georgia, so they will be married surrounded in a lighted forest of trees!



After the ceremony, that space will be turned into a fireside wiskey lounge, so awesome right??? They are going to have cigars and good scotch and burbons and spiced wine warming over the fire. Doesn't that just sound super warm and cozy? I really love this idea! I will be sure to get lots of great pictures of the fireside festivities.

Do y'all have any good wedding tips to share? Like how to turn a potential negative (outside wedding in December) in to a positive (perfect time for roaring fires and a winter wonderland)?

04 November 2009

entertained: a easy spicy soup

so last night I had to whip up dinner in a pinch. it was cold and I was kinda tired so I wanted something quick, easy, and satisfying. I came up with dumpling soup!



Now let me start off by saying, I am so NOT a chef, I barely know how to boil water! But just like everyone else has been tightening their belts and M and I are no exception, and so to the kitchen I go to whip up my own CHEAP and healthy meal.

OK, I started with a bag of frozen chicken dumplings from Trader Joe's and a bag of frozen Asian stir fry vegetables, also from TJ's. I'm thinking I need something fresh, and then I spy a half bag of spinach, double points for using up something before it goes bad!

Alrighty, I've got stuff to work with but, now how to put it all together?
I put some chicken stock, I usually have that in the pantry, into a big soup pot and throw in the frozen veg. I brought that to a boil and added the spinach and dumplings and brought them up to temperature. The directions on the bag of dumplings said, "Don't over cook!" so I made sure to put them in last. And Voila! a soup was made (in like 7 minutes!)

I let my concoction simmer till M got home from work and then gave it a another taste... and it was good but... it needed something. So into the fridge for the ever present and often used chili garlic sauce (btw- this is the only thing not purchased at TJ's, did I mention that I love that freaking place?) and a heaping tablespoon of it went into the pot. Be CAREFUL, that stuff is H-O-T, but so so very tasty. It really made the soup. And best of all M loved it. He had 2 giant bowls.

Another successful dinner... I'm getting pretty good at this! I will keep ya posted on new culinary dscoveries

xo Lea

03 November 2009

entertained: music for the holidays

so I'm printing, stamping, printing, and stamping lots and lots of Christmas cards. and I will have them ready to share with y'all soon, but I wanted to let you all know what is helping me get into the spirit of the season right now.

Spiced apple muffins from TraderJoe's (go check out their website they have lots of helpful things like pre-made lists and recipes, it's pretty rad).

and music on Pandora! it is so great; you can make lots of stations that will play what ever you like and they have a ton of Christmas music.

ok well... back to work!!

23 October 2009

designed: fall store displays

I just thought I would share a few pictures from the stores that I worked for as a Visual Merchandiser in Montgomery, AL. These are a few of the fall displays. I'm actually currently on a bus - mobile blogging (the bus has WiFi- how cool is that!?!) on our way down to Washington DC. M has an opening for his graphic art in Arlington, VA and then we are planning our 2nd visit to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to check out the awesome foliage. If you are in the area, I highly recommend it! It is beautiful! So in honor of the season...



Merchandising is all about the eye catching impact, you probably wouldn't do this much decorating for your home. It's meant to be fun and inspirational, ya know?





check back soon for some cool pictures of leaves 'n stuff. And also I've got a TON of awesome new projects that I'm working on. They will be up for your enjoyment as soon as possible!!!

xo Lea

08 October 2009

entertained: the holidays

MORE CHRISTMAS ALERT!!! I know it seems like it's a little too early to be talking about Christmas, but I've had the holidays on the brain for a while now, at least I haven't started singing Christmas carols just yet... Anyway, I have a really lovely new card for you to send to your loved ones! It reminds me of a winter wonderland...



It is also available in green, which I love with a craft paper envelope. And there is just a simple Merry Christmas in the inside. Lovely.





Oh, wouldn't YOU like some? Just let me know!
xo Lea

02 October 2009

loved: everyone!

got a new card y'all, it's so super cute. I don't think that you can say "I love you" too much. and this little card is short and sweet. spread the love people, buy a card from me! ;)


ps- my cards will hopefully be in store in the Southeast as well as in Manhattan and the good ole BK, SOON!!!!!
xo Lea

21 September 2009

entertained: the holidays are coming!

i was taking a break and watching some TV the other day while m was in the office working, when suddenly i shrieked! "OMG, OMG, what is today's date" to m?!?!?! "it's the first" he said, "what are you freaking out about?" i replied, "i just saw a Christmas commercial!!!" so yes folks, on the first of SEPTEMBER i was reminded that the holidays are right around the corner. now for anyone not in retail this is outrageously premature, but for those of us making and creating the wonderful things that mean so much to us during this holiday season, we are in full swing! when i was an merchandiser for Southern Homes & Gardens, my fabulous boss and i would already be covered in head to toe glitter, unpacking ornaments and fluffing trees and planning our amazing Christmas displays for all three stores. here is our work in progress at the Vaughn Rd store, notice the giant scary ladder in the back? that tree was a monster, but the end result was stunning.

so now i express myself creatively with my stationary and i am almost done with my contribution to the 2009 holiday season. here is a sneak peak!!!!

more to come, soon!!!!!
xo lea

25 August 2009

designed: an Atlanta Condo

This is a cute little one bedroom Condo in Midtown Atlanta. This home is on the basement level, which means that light is only coming from one side. We wanted to make this a playful and colorful first home. This was a tight budget, and I needed to work with some things the client already had. I think this turned out great.
The unit only has one closet so I needed to maximize it. We installed custom Elfa closets, And something just as simple as using all the same hangers and hiding the everyday clutter really goes a long way.

This is a view into the kitchen and dining/office room.

Here is the living room, I think this a cute and cozy place. Great for a Single Girl in the City!

xo Lea

21 August 2009

designed: SH&G Vaugn Road



I used to work, with a wonderful company called Southern Homes & Gardens, as a Visual Merchandiser. I loved the new store which was so fun to decorate! Here are a few pics from the Vaughn Road store's Vietri Pottery displays. I loved the simplicity and contrast of the big chunky furniture and the delicate Italian pottery.
xo Lea

12 August 2009

designed: Lake Jordan House


Lake Jordan is a popular place for vacation homes about 30 minutes from Montgomery, AL.

This house is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house vacation home that I designed. The owner wanted a comfortable home for his family. He had a conservative budget and major time constraints.

I worked with the architect during the design process, choosing fixtures, paint and kitchen and bath design. So the whole house was decorated with an $8,000 budget and done in one weekend! Talk about a challenge! But I think it turned out great!




xo Lea

09 August 2009

entertained: in Washington DC



i was in washington dc this past week, and m and i had a blast! we cooked out at his mom's house. which was especially great because, until you live somewhere with out a yard or porch or...any sort of outdoor space what so ever, you don't realize what a treat it is to just sit with a glass of wine and listen to the sounds of the summer. we also went to great falls park in virginia which was really pretty. thanks so much christy!





i'm also v. excited about all the new paper i got! i'm a huge dork, but seriously folks, its so cool. i got NEON pink! expect lots of cool stationary in the near future.

xo lea

04 August 2009

born: gabrielle lea


This is the birth announcement of my darling little niece Gabi Lea. We are all so excited! My sisters (there are 4 of us!) and I have been waiting for a little girl to play dress up with. The photo was taken by my very talented sister Carrie.

xo Lea