Hot Card of the Day (Back to the Future Edition)

Today's hot card is from Christie's in Manhattan Beach, California, and it may look a little familiar. That's because this event's save-the-date card was chosen as a hot card earlier this month. Like the save-the-date, it utilizes our new custom die-cut technology. And even though it counts as bragging, this is one heck of a card, if we do say so ourselves.

Hot Card of the Day (Mini-Me Edition)

Today's card, from Invitations and More by Bonnie in Purchase, New York, is an exercise in minimalism. Above, you'll see our lovely Luscious Verde models Megan (left) and Jaclyn. Megan has the tarjeta caliente in her crafty little hands, while Jaclyn is modeling the design it's based on. It's from our Bar/Bat Mitzvah catalog, and as shown in the catalog, it's a portfolio folder that's 6.25" x 9.75". But our hot card measures in at a charming 5" x 7," a perfect size for a perfect card, putting the "custom" in "the coolest company in custom stationery."

Hot Card of the Day ("Superman" Theme Music Edition)

Today's hot card comes to us from our friends in Charm City, Simply Noted. It's a stylishly different take on one of our most popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations, with a great substitution for one of our discontinued paper colors. (It's shown in our catalog with Mud Mask paper, a choice that some time ago passed on into the netherworld of publishing.) We hate it when we have to discontinue paper colors, but it's a necessary evil every so often. This card also features a great use of monochromatics, and features a custom liner.

Christmas in July

A few weeks ago, we as a company decided to put together a pool to guess when we would receive our first holiday order. (It didn't involve money, just baked goods.) As you may or may not know, November and early December are bar-none our busiest times of the year. A few of us who have been here for at least one holiday season are already warning the newbies like grizzled 1840s prospectors warning young bucks coming from the east to make their fortune. Consarnit, it's not that easy!

Anyhow, congrats to production artist Nina, who picked July 18th. We received our first holiday order on Friday.

The 20th of July.

That's right.

A little over five months before Christmas.

Wow, we've heard of planning ahead, but this takes the cake. We give a hearty "huzzah" to the good people who put in the order.


-- Rob @ L.V.

Casual or Superhero Attire

Dress code miscommunication can make for knee-slapping stories, but when it happens to you, you’re not laughing. Tell us if this has ever happened to you: you invite some friends over to watch “Sunday Night Baseball” on ESPN. Clearly this is an event that calls for Sport Casual, and most of your friends show up appropriately dressed in khakis, casual skirts, denim pants, polo shirts, and button-downs. Then there’s the friend who just doesn’t get it; the friend who shows up wearing a sundress, cropped pants, or even shorts. You want to pull that person aside and ask, “Did you think we would be watching the ballgame at the beach?”

It’s this kind of faux pas that can strain and even break a friendship. This is why our most conscientious customers choose dress code phrases that are as specific as possible. We like Dress Untucked because we all know how embarrassing it is to realize that your dress is tucked in. Tropical Chic is a good one, because the attendees know to go straight for the machete and the safari hat. Barefoot Elegance does guests a service by assuring them that the reception venue will be free of cigarette butts, broken glass, and chaw spit. And Basketball Chic is executed to perfection by Eva Longoria at Spurs games. A clear dress code phrase will give your guests a much less stressful preparation for your event, and it may even keep Beach Casual out of your living room.

-- Ted @ L.V.

(P.S. Many thanks to L.V. superstar Rachel for her homemade paper dolls, shown above and below.)