sponsor spotlight Archives - So About What I Said

Monday, March 12, 2018

Sponsor Spotlight: Cherry Laurel Studio

Isn’t it funny how serendipitous life is sometimes?? Elizabeth from Cherry Laurel Studio started following me on social media recently and I was so glad because that simple follow introduced me to her shop!! The Georgia-based designer named her Southern studio and business after her great grandmother’s home in Laurel, Mississippi. As Elizabeth says, “This stately Southern charmer’s legacy is at the root of how we approach design, romance message and spin stories. Think hospitality. Think all the details, all taken care of. Think a little southern comfort splashed right into the work.” Read on to learn more about the shop’s history and Elizabeth’s thoughts on email vs. handwritten cards… xoxo

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Tell me about Cherry Laurel Studio. What’s the inspiration behind its launch?
I went to design school at NC State in Raleigh, NC, and though I swore I was going into digital design, something about the hand processes kept drawing me back. Every time I had a miserable day at work, I’d whine that I was born at the wrong time and that I hated working on the computer. Finally, some lead type was gifted to me and the seed was planted. I bought my first press on eBay shortly thereafter and the rest is history. The name comes from the name of my great grandmother’s house in Laurel, MS. When I was brainstorming business names, I looked to my own family history for inspiration and Cherry Laurel was the name that just kept bubbling up as a keeper.

When did you become interested in stationery and design?
I grew up with an artist mother, so design and art are part of my genetic makeup. I remember trolling the office supplies aisle of the grocery store every time we went, looking for any kind of cute paper product or new pen I might beg for. And as soon as I found out what a graphic designer was — which was about 5th grade — I was relentless about becoming one! They had the best toys!

Why do you think a handwritten note is so important, as opposed to a quick text or email?
There’s something so thoughtful, honest and elegant about handwritten notes, even if you feel your handwriting is terrible. To take the trouble to sit down, collect your thoughts and put your pen to pretty paper and then to go through the process of mailing it speaks volumes of consideration for your recipient. It transforms a simple acknowledgement (in the content of your letter) into something sublime. Especially when you send that message on beautiful stationery. Buy the best stationery you can reasonably afford, and you will always make an impact when you send it.

What are your top 3 tips for writing the perfect note?
Keep it personal. Nobody likes to receive a form letter — even if it’s handwritten! If you’re writing a thank-you note, be specific about why you are so thankful. If you are writing a sympathy note, share a personal memory about the deceased that will always stay with you. If you are writing a simple catch-up note, refer to something you both share or the last time you saw each other or what you look forward to at the next visit. Keep it gracious. There’s that classic golden rule, and it applies to notes too. And finally, don’t make it too short. One or two sentences is probably not enough to convey your message. And bonus tip: Better late than never!

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
I am still in love with my WWVD card because it feels like such an inside joke with customers. I originally printed it as my own personal laugh, then sold it to see if anyone shared my humor and it took off! I retired it for a couple of years and literally had people begging me to bring it back.

I am also quite fond of my Bushel and a Peck card, because of the stories I get from customers. For many, it’s related to a childhood memory. For one particular customer who gifted it to her quite elderly grandmother, it has become something so special between them that I cried when she told me her story. I love that a simple card can make such a hugely positive impact.

Thank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth!! Be sure to visit Cherry Laurel Studio and check out these shops for more inspiration too! xoxo

Thursday, June 1, 2017

I Tried It: ChapStick Summer Collection and Duos

Speaking of summer, I’ve been positively brimming with excitement to share this post with you, friends!! It’s well established on this blog that I’m a bit obsessed with lip balms and have written extensively on this topic in the past — believe it or not, there IS quite a lot to say (err, write…) about these deceptively simple products. I just love everything about them, obviously, and consider them to be one of life’s simple pleasures. Well, back in April, I found out that ChapStick was about to release a new line and, umm, I almost screamed right there in the quiet library! So I naturally did what any uberfan would do and emailed them to see if they’d like to collaborate on an upcoming blog post. And…they were game!! They sent me so many samples to review the ChapStick Summer Collection and Duos! Truth be told, I was practically in Lip Balm Heaven! Here’s a rundown of each product and my discerning thoughts…

ChapStick’s Summer Collection

First up is the brand’s newest release, just in time for warm weather and lazy days spent outside! The Summer Collection sports three awesome flavors: Pink Lemonade, Peaches & Cream and Sweet Watermelon. They’re the perfect way to start summer and “brings the sweet aroma of summer to your lips with every swipe.”

Just as I suspected, these little gems don’t disappoint! All the flavors glide on so smoothly and are the ultimate in refreshing — they make your lips feel extra moisturized! My favorite of the three? Pink Lemonade, of course!!! Because, really, if lemonade doesn’t just scream summer fun, then I honestly don’t know what does!

ChapStick Duos

I was so excited to see FIVE packs of the Duos tucked in the envelope when it arrived! This line came out awhile ago and I never got to try them, but I’m so glad I could get my hands on them now! Why? Because it’s the ultimate in the lip balm experience! I mean, it’s basically everything you could ever want and is like two lip balms in one! Billed as fun and exciting, the eight flavors can be “mixed, matched and attached” to create your own custom flavor combinations — flavors include Fresh Coconut, Berry Sorbet Shimmer, Vanilla Shimmer, Tropical Pineapple, Strawberry Kiwi, Cool Mint, Refreshing Watermelon and Sweet Peach!

The possibilities? Up to 28 different flavor combinations, so you can basically mix and match until you find your own personal flavor sweet spot! What could be better than that? My favorite of the bunch? Coconut! I always seem to gravitate toward all things coconut, especially as the summer approaches! It reminds me of sunscreen and sitting by the pool all day long!

Thanks so much to ChapStick for sending me this lovely goody bag! Have you tried either line yet, friends? Which flavors are your favorite?? Do you have a ton of ChapStick products roaming around in your beach bag? Happy summer to all… xoxo

(This post is sponsored by ChapStick, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

Monday, February 27, 2017

Sponsor Spotlight: Elemental Soul Jewellery

Over the years, all the jewelry I’ve gravitated toward has been pretty understated yet powerful and meaningful at the same time. Those are the first adjectives that came to mind when I first spotted Elemental Soul Jewellery on Etsy a couple months ago. Shop owner Eve calls Australia home and her handmade pieces are also eco-friendly — everything from earrings to necklaces to bracelets to rings!!! Read on for her shopping tips and look for a gorgeous giveaway of one of her necklaces next month… xoxo

Tell me a bit about Elemental Soul Jewellery! What’s the inspiration behind its launch?

We’ve always wanted to have our own home-based business. Elemental Soul Jewellery was a bit of an experiment at first. My partner and I have tried just about everything over the past 20 years from sign writing, woodwork, sculpture and pottery to original artworks and prints. We’re both really creative, so I think jewelry just had to be on the to-do list. Within a year of opening our Etsy shop, we’d quit our day jobs and gone full time. Working from home is a dream come true, and my only complaint is that I can’t possibly make everything in my head!

What are some trends we’re seeing this winter? What are some of your favorite fashion trends?

Piercing jewelry is always popular, but also ear cuffs and climbers are very hot at the moment. I think the trend in natural uncut gemstones is my favorite by far. They are just so beautiful in their natural unfaceted form, and I plan to introduce a wide range of natural gemstone jewelry in the future, focusing especially on birthstones.

What are some things people should keep in mind when shopping for jewelry?

Always read the feedback on a shop. This isn’t always possible on a standard webpage, but that’s where Etsy is great because it’s all there to see. While some issues like sizing and slow delivery are out of a shop’s control, it gives you a good idea of reoccurring problems and potential mislabeling of products.

What are some ways that people can still look chic for less?

Always shop around, but be aware that if something is too cheap, it’s usually for a reason. There are so many shops offering great affordable jewelry, so avoid the mass-produced resell items and go for the genuine handcrafted jewelry. If buying a few items, don’t be scared to ask for a discount!

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?

I love the natural gemstone cage pendants. They are a recent addition to the shop, and I’m hoping to have one for every birth month eventually. I’m not a shopping fanatic, but I do love sourcing the natural gemstones for our jewelry!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Date

We’re less than one month away from the first day of spring and you know what that means, don’t you, friends? Wedding season is coming!! Can’t you smell it in the air already? To help us get in the mood and figure out how to pick the perfect wedding date, I give you the experts at Orla James, the London-based company specializing in wedding jewelry. Read on for their top four tips, like why getting married during wedding season might not be such a good idea… xoxo

So you’ve finally popped the question? But have you thought about when the big day will be? Are you looking to tie the knot as quickly as possible, or do you want to give yourself time to prepare? The fact is that, emotions aside, there are practical reasons for picking the right wedding date. Don’t jump into making the decision quickly or you could end up regretting it.

Having a wedding is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. It requires time and effort. Most of the time, the bride has the scenario of the perfect wedding in mind — the venue, the dress, the cake, etc. All of these things take time to arrange. Plus, all of these things might not be available when you need them.

“There’s so much planning that goes into a wedding and none of this can really get started until a date is set, but finding a suitable date can be a battle in itself!” says Katie of Orla James.

Availability Of Friends And Family

Your wedding is your special day. But it wouldn’t really be all that special if all of those people you consider special to you were not there. While picking a date for your wedding, you need to consider the availability of your close friends and family. This doesn’t mean just anyone, but your nearest and dearest friends, people without whom you would feel your wedding is incomplete.

Talk to these people and find out if there are any major events happening around them. Ask them if there are dates when they are busy. Give them your preferred dates, a month or a weekend that you like and have them give you their feedback. See what they come back with. Use this information to decide a few different date choices — choices that don’t include the ones when these people are not available.

Do this once and once only, and like we’ve said, only with your nearest and dearest. The more people you involves, the more complicated it gets. If you know of someone else who may be planning a wedding, it would be advisable to ensure that there are no date conflicts with them either.

Picking The Venue

Another important factor while setting your wedding date involves the venue. Most people do not think of checking out their desired venue before setting a date, but this is essential. If you start looking for a venue after picking your wedding date, you are basically decreasing your options right away. With a number of potential dates in hand, you can look at and decide on a number of different suitable venues. Once you’ve found the perfect venue, you can decide which date works for you.

The Importance Of An Important Date

There are some people who get married on specific days because of religious or cultural reasons. If you are one of those, then picking your wedding date could be out of your hands. But if you aren’t one of those, you should consider marrying on a date with special significance.

See if the date of your first meeting or first kiss works for you. Maybe the date on which you proposed. You might want to honor your dead parents by having a wedding on the date of their anniversary. Picking an important date will add that extra bit of significance to your wedding, making it even more memorable. Just make sure that this date is feasible.

Consider Your Budget

Most people don’t know this, but there is a wedding season during the summers leading into October. During this time, everything is expensive since a lot of weddings are taking place. Things may cost up to 2 to 3 times higher than what they do during off-season. This is due to supply and demand, and not something you can help.

Only get married during the wedding season if you really have to. Also consider not getting married on weekends. For the same reason as above, everything is more expensive during the weekends. You can really have your pick of venues and catering if you do this.

Days To Avoid At All Costs

Then there are days that you just can’t get married on. There are specific days when it would be impossible for you to get off from work. Days like the end of the year when the accounts are closed. You don’t want to get married with the burden of work hanging over you. Plus, your honeymoon could be adversely affected. Public holidays like Christmas and Easter are out as well.

(This post is sponsored by Orla James. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

[Photos via We Heart It]

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Getting Creative With Basic Invite

My mom loves sending cards! In an age where practically everyone has gone paperless, opting instead for a snazzy e-card or quick text, my mom still sees the value in doing things the old-fashioned way when it comes to greetings. She even has an entire desk drawer where she keeps cards at the ready and honestly, I’ve always been pretty impressed with it — it’s filled with cards for all occasions and cards of different sizes, shapes and colors. In short, it’s quite a sight to behold! But, thankfully, there’s a lovely happy medium — a site that incorporates technology and old-fashioned card sending. It’s the best of both worlds, and you might remember the company from a few years ago on this very blog. Today, friends, it’s all about getting creative with Basic Invite!

The Utah-based invitations and stationery company. They’re known for breathtaking wedding invitations, but their shop is also home to thank-you notes, classic birth announcements, online baby shower invitations and all sorts of cards for life’s big events, like graduations, bar mitzvahs and cheap first birthday invitations!

I had the pleasure of chatting with Katie Scott of Basic Invite about some of the site’s great features. Here are 3 things to know for sending awesome cards in 2017…

Almost Unlimited Colors

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.

Custom Samples

Ours is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.

Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes

We’re just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed.

Thanks so much, Katie! Be sure to check out Basic Invite as you start celebrating all that 2017 has to offer! You can also follow Basic Invite on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest…here’s to enjoying a year of fun! xoxo

(This is a sponsored post, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)