BED: Joan’s On Third

I recently read about Joan’s on Third in LA.  While this store-market-restaurant-catering company has been around for over 1o years, it’s a new find on my part and I love what I see.  I know a store may be an unusual choice for a BED post but the catering pictures showcasing the numerous events put on by Joan’s will make it clear why I selected them.  Each event shot looks so peaceful with its understated elegance. 

When I read through the company website and scanned through the fantastic event and store pictures online, I got a really warm feeling and good vibe from this place.  Not only does Joan’s on Third appear super classy, gourmet and down to earth but the quality of the products displayed look incredibly professional and well thought out- a concept that is clearly missing in Toronto.

Cupcakes (photo via yelp)(photo via yelp)

(via yelp)

A yummy looking sandwich (via Yelp)

Baked Goods (via Yelp)

DYI: Easy Place cards

Good morning event enthusiasts.  It’s a beautiful day in Toronto.  The sun is shining and there is not a cloud in the sky.

Today I wanted to share a really easy and professional way to make place cards using Avery labels and your computer. 

I just made twelve of these placecards for a wine event tomorrow evening that I am working on and I could not be more impressed with the results.

I used the Avery Laser Tent Card #5305 to make the cards.

Step by step:

Create your guest list on an Excel file separating first name and last name in two different columns.  Save the file somewhere because you will need it later.

Next, open Word go to Tools, then to Letters and Mailing, then to Mail Merge- once the Mail Merge is open, now you’re in business and ready to create your place cards. 

On the right side of the screen select Labels and then on the bottom right of the screen click on Starting Document.  From here right hand side of the screen in the middle it will say “label options” click on that and find your Avery Label model number.  In our case, we are using 5305.  Just scroll down the list and find 5305 and click OK. 

From here you want to select the recipients (bottom Right of the screen) which means it’s time to go back to the Excel file with your guest list you saved.   Middle right of the screen click select the recipient list and find the file you want to import into Word.  A pop up box will show up asking you which sheet you saved your guest list on- click okay for the first sheet. Click ok again on the next pop up screen, then click arrange your labels (bottom right).

Now here is when you get to inject your creativity and personalize the labels. 

Middle right side of the screen click “More Items” and insert First Name and Last Name.  Click Ok.

Change the font/colour/spacing and you can insert picture files into this template.  When you are statisfied with the look, go back to the right side of the screen and click “Update Labels”.  This will update all the labels in your word document to look the same.  You can go back and play around if you are not satisfied but remember to keep clicking update label if you make a change or else you will only have changed the first label.

Next step is to preview your labels (step 4, bottom right) and complete the merge (step 5, bottom right). 

You will have to load the Avery Laser Tent Cards into your printer (I use the stack bypass on the large office printers) and hit print. 

I hope this all makes sense because if you want to save some money and DIY, this is a really easy way to pull off professional looking place cards.  I felt proud of my accomplishments today (it was my first time making these things)

Spring Flowers

This is a table setting that was put together at my house a little while ago while we were entertaining.

I love tulips in the spring time, especially arranged in this white porcelain water jug.  There is something so simple about the arrangement that makes it even more pleasurable to enjoy.

Love Notes

My new favourite stationery design company is Blue Pool Road in Los Angeles.  Peggy Wong, owner  has a CV of experience to kill in art direction and she has a great eye for design which shows so well in her stationery.

I love her love notes.  I have never sent a love note before on such beautiful stationary but Peggy has motivated me to start.

Her website does more justice to her products than the pictures  I have- I can only provide a sneak peak!

Hand written letterpress

Linda & Harriet Letterpress (via the sprague lab)

I feel like a lot of cool letterpress work comes out of Brooklyn.  Every time I look for new and different examples of letterpress, I end up back in New York!  Here is another great example of the talent coming out of Brooklyn: Linda & Harriet.   I was drawn to this company’s stationery for its very cool handwritten letter press card.  I think it looks pretty impressive and I am happy to have stumbled across the find on the Sprague Lab blog. 

Here is a quick look at some of the other letterpress designs from Linda & Harriet

Thumb Greeting Thank You Hearts (via Linda & Harriet)

Look at these orange pigs!

Orange Piggies Note Cards (via Linda & Harriet)

Save the Date Card (via Linda & Harriet)

Fendi on the Great Wall

I spent five years traveling back and forth between Toronto and China and I am sorry to say, I was not in the country when this event took place in Beijing for the Fendi Fall Winter 2007/2008 collection.

It doesn’t get much cooler than having a fashion show on the Great Wall of China itself.

Is that a venue or what?

Fendi Fashion Show (via iwantigot)

Fendi Fashion Show Night (via design boom)