Cheers!

You’re not tipsy – not yet anyway.

To get in the ‘spirit’ of things, my client chose my ‘bias style’ for her upcoming New Year’s Eve Nuptials.

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Business is Blooming

A recent frugalista client used the “Love In Bloom” collection from  VistaPrint for her invites and envelopes.  The envelopes and invite were not only inexpensive, but surprisingly vintage looking!  Photographed at the incredible Opalia Flowers in Brooklyn.

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Leap!

…Couldn’t let the extra day go unnoticed on the account that traditionally, this is the day that women can ask men to marry them!  

While there are many traditions, legends and tales that are attached to this day, including the existence of a Scottish law that forbade men to refuse a Leap Year proposal, I thought the most interesting folklore was that this day was ‘founded’ in the 5th Century by a Nun. 

St. Bridget petitioned St. Patrick on behalf of all women so that they may have a more active role in choosing their husbands.  As a result, women were allowed to propose…once every four years.

But who’s counting?

Whatever you propose to do on your extra day, “Ádh mór ort” (Good luck!)

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Famous Couples You’ve Never Heard Of…

…Many clients ask me about the folks in my logo photo.  It is in fact my parents, Donna and Daniel who have been married for over forty-five years.  In fact, there are three couples in this photo who took their vows very seriously.  Some of their stories are below.  I love to share their stories with my clients who are so often confronted with tales of divorce.  Perhaps we are all looking for inspiration in the wrong places.  I recently attended a Mass that celebrated World Marriage Day which acknowledges marriage as a sacrament.  At the Mass, married couples stood up and received a blessing, and were reminded that they serve as an example for single people.   These folks serve as my example of extraordinary love and devotion.  Maybe they will inspire you too.

Lucy and Dominick.  April 23rd, 1938.  My Grandmother survived her husband, who actually lived next door to him.  At the time, my Grandfather Dominick, was dating another woman, but apparently he could not get Lucy out of his head.  He often found himself staring at her legs while she sun bathed in the backyard.  ”You want these legs?” Lucy asked Dominick, “You’re gonna’ to have to marry them.”  And he did.  Their marriage survived the death of one of their own children.  Their union was loud, but they shared a fierce dependency – especially at Bingo.

Alva and John.  February 20th, 1946.  Alva survived her husband John who passed away in 2007.  They met in New York City at the White Star Tavern shortly after WWII.  My grandfather, who had served in Merrill’s Marauders, briefly chatted with Alva who at the time, was divorced with three children.  When she and her girlfriend excused themselves to the Ladies’ Room, John told Alva, “I hope everything comes out okay.”  It did.  He went on to take care of Alva, her three children and together, they had four more children together.  They have fourteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren (and counting…)

Donna and Daniel.  February 20th, 1966. My parents met at the RKO Keith’s Movie House, where they both worked as Ushers.  They claim they married on the coldest day of the year.  But the legendary story that has been told and retold, was the one that recounted the time after one of their many break ups.  After a time apart, my father called Donna’s house to invite her to a New Year Eve’s Party.  Unbeknownst to him, he called on the day of her engagement to another man.  ”I’m sorry Danny,” my mother told my father, “you’re just too late.”  But you are in fact, never too late.  (A family motto.)  Soon after, my mother broke her engagement off to the man who was never meant to be my father and reconnected with the man who is my father.

Marriage carries on, even past death.   Unfortunately, ’til death do us part,’ is perhaps understood today as ’til death of this particular union.’   But marriage lasts even past our mortal lives.  It is a commitment that actually can be achieved, done in style and done well.  Too often we are told about Hollywood marriages ending quickly and suddenly.   But marriages do last, in other places, all the time, in fact, it happens every day…

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In this New Year…

…don’t forget your ‘old acquaintances’ – send them a letter!

Many thanks to all my clients for a wonderful year.  Looking forward to 2012.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

{The best recipes are always handwritten}

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Style is Eternal…

Many thanks and luck to all my Fashion Forward clients!  You make myself and NYC ‘work!’

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Luck of the Irish

It’s always fascinating to me how the residents of Ireland get their mail with so few numbers!

The addresses are mysterious and exotic and some of my favorite to address.

Apparently, both Ireland and Panama do not have national postal code systems.

Check out ‘Frank’s Compulsive Guide to Postal Addressing‘ for information on how to address envelopes for your International Guests.

Personally, I think Anam Cara is responsible for getting letters to their destination–the Celtic spiritual tradition that acknowledges the presence of ‘soul friends.’  When you are blessed with Anam Cara, you have arrived at that very special destination–Home.

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a-DRESS-ing…

…with Monique Llluillier fine papers.

Many  top American fashion designers like Vera Wang and Kate Spade
are creating this wedding stationery trend.

So.  ”What are YOU wearing?”

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Breakfast With Tiffany’s

The ‘Morning Drive.’

Attempting to make the world a prettier place–one envelope at a time….

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{post-’taste’}

My client, Vanessa, used vintage stamps from Champion Stamp (NYC’s premier stamp store) to complete my handwritten invitations.  She even went a step further by matching stamps with her guests’ hometowns!

How will you make your invitations mean more?

 

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Bee Mine {vendor spotlight} Worker Bee Designs

Meet the woman behind the films that make your weddings appear timeless and cinematic.

Meet Jessica Lyons of Worker Bee Designs…

Worker Bee Designs Highlight Reel from Jessica Lysons on Vimeo.

Jessica uses the beauty of Super High 8 Film to make 15 minute heirloom keepsakes of your wedding, union or event.

In an article by Lindsey Eden Turner in Austin’s “Rare” Magazine,  Super 8, developed in 1965, is noted by Phil Vigeant, Owner of Pro88mm in LA, as not only being archival, classic, and lasting forever, but containing a ‘human element.’   “It lends a quality of immediacy that makes the person behind the camera feel connected with the actions in front of it.”

As Jessica notes, her mini epics are like an ‘espresso’, having all of the good stuff and none of the filler.  The look is timeless and the technology is archival.

In other words, it’s the best of both worlds.

But an even more lovelier creation are Jessica’s Flip Books.

As a book, film, and ephemera junkie, this sold me on Jessica’s point of view as an artist.  These books encompass what a great wedding day should be, one that is sweet and clever–A memory you can literally put in your pocket.

See one in Action by Clicking Here!

Jessica Lyons grew up in Spokane and now lives in Brooklyn.  She studied Architecture at Yale and was Clerk of the Works for a general contractor in Seattle. She also happens to be the Vice President of an investment banking firm.

Strange but true.

“I love giving handmade gifts.”  Jessica says.  “ I love objects that display the mastery and passion of the maker.  I started Worker Bee Designs to do what I love on a bigger scale.”

The unique kind of Valentine we’d all like to receive.

Visit Worker Bee Designs for more information on rates and demos.

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Lucky You 幸運您

A recent client got me thinking about Chinese New Year.  After addressing these lovely red envelopes in traditional gold ink for a Corporate Event, my curiosity was piqued about this ancient tradition.

Centuries old, Chinese New Year, the most important festival in Chinese Culture, takes place on February 3rd.  The New Year lasts from this first day until the 15th Day of the year.   2011 is the Year of the Rabbit.   “Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.”

Red symbolizes prosperity and luck and these red envelopes are given out on Chinese New Year and at Traditional Chinese Weddings.  Those that give and receive a red envelope are considered lucky!

This monetary gift is often given to children and unmarried adults.  Married couples give red envelopes to their parents and money in these envelopes must be new and the total must be even, certain numbers such as four are considered unlucky.   On the morning of the New Year, Mandarin children greet their parents with “Gōng xǐ fā cái, hóng bāo ná lái” (Happy New Year, now give me a red envelope!)

Images of carps, dragons or lotus, with four character expressions of well wishes are traditionally featured on the unsigned envelopes.

Giving a red envelope is one of the many traditions practiced on Chinese New Year, and though they vary, other customs include hanging red decorations in windows and sweeping homes of the past year’s misfortune to welcome in the New Year’s luck.

This culture’s tradition is a great way to adopt the idea of reconciliation and renewal in your own New Year.

Why not spread some luck by making your own “Ang Pow” or Chinese Envelope.

Another great source for Chinese Envelopes and Traditional Chinese fare, is Soho’s Pearl River Mart.

Spread the luck and the wealth this year.  And see what returns…

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè

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Season Your Greetings…

…in this overly digitized, socially mediated age, it’s important to support and employ the beauty and tradition of sending greeting cards!    Don’t just show up in someone’s ‘inbox’ – show up with your wishes in your own original handwriting (or yours’ truly) in a special card.   Be a part of a tradition that dates back to the age of papyrus where early Egyptians and Chinese sent messages of ‘goodwill’ to each other.  And couldn’t we all use some good will in our mailboxes?

Here are some ideas:  Check out the Center for Book Arts’ Holiday Fair for cards and ephemera on Saturday, December 11th.    Visit Downtown NYC’s own InkPad which has great classes to inspire you in making your very own cards.  Discover The Robin Hood Foundation.  If you order greeting cards from the Foundation’s Annual Holiday Card Drive, you can customize your order with an imprint or calligraphy!  Every Robin Hood Holiday Card you send will go towards helping the 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty.

If you’re a shutterbug like me, turn your awkward family photos into Holiday gems with the help of the folks at Zazzle or Tiny Prints.

As a homemade Holiday card maker myself, I love to make my own envelopes from maps, newspaper or vintage paper.  You can purchase an envelope template from any craft store.  I still own mine from JudiKins of CA.  Or find a bounty of envelopes in every size and color at Jam Paper, many at closeout prices.

Don’t forget the finishing touches like postage – you don’t have to go ‘Holiday’ – there are great postage choices this year like Kate Hepburn, The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games or Hawaiian Rain Forest. (Yes, I am an admitted stamp snob.)

And if you’d like to keep the tradition alive by keeping a few artists alive, there is always the mighty Etsy.  Consider it the kitchen of this world wide web party, where all the cool folks hang out and make the stuff you’ve always imagined…  Happy Holidays!

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Site Under Construction. But you can check out samples on tabs above, and contact me for rates at tuccicursive@gmail.com.  Reviews and Samples are also found on my Public Facebook page.

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