sad for swee swee

I'm sad to report that Swee Swee Paperie in West Seattle is closing it's brick-n-mortar doors. I've always admired Ann Conway's style, especially her fashion sense – just take a (last) look at some of her window displays:

TOP PHOTO: via bdstudio.com BOTTOM PHOTO: via Swee Swee Paperie

They're going to revamp and reopen their online store in September so at least we'll still have access to some of the great paper products Ann discovers.

SWEE SWEE PAPERIE • www.sweesweepaperie.com

holiday savings at ecru

Here's a heads up for all you fellow paper fanatics: LeAnn at Ecru is hosting a holiday open house this coming Saturday!


It's a great way to kick off your holiday shopping: not only will LeAnn provide some yummy nibbles to nosh on, she's even offering 20% off on everything in the store!

In case you're not familiar with Ecru, they offer a huge selection of modern paper goods that range from swanky to funky. You'll find unique indie lines like UrbanBark and Smudge Ink as well as big-time faves like Russel+Hazel. To wet your appetite, here's a sneak peek of some of Ecru's holiday cards:


ECRU MODERN STATIONER
Holiday Open House: Saturday November 1 • 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
1215 NW 11th Avenue • Portland • 503.227.2611 • www.ecrupaper.com

shop talk – the arrangement

I love shopping in my own Northeast neighborhood. I'm quite lucky to have some great little boutiques practically around the corner!

Take The Arrangement, for instance. I always seem to have plenty of time to shop there since it's conveniently located next to hubby-magnets such as Pizzicato, Beaumont Market and the hardware store. Take your time, honey; I'll be right over here!


The Arrangement is a great one-stop shop for cards, gifts, home decor, and fashion accessories. It's packed floor to ceiling with goodies that just beg to be bought!


They've got one of the largest selections of soaps and lotions and yummy smelling bath salts, all packaged up so prettily, it's almost a pitty to break the seal.

And while I enjoy seeing what's new at The Arrangement any time of year, it's especially fun around the holidays when they decorate the store to the hilt.


I love coming here when I don't really need anything because that's when I make the best discoveries: the perfect hostess gift for my girlfriend, that special soap for my mother-in-law and oh yes, a little sumthin-sumthin for myself, too!


THE ARRANGEMENT
4210 NE Fremont St. • Portland • 503.287.4440

shop talk – ink & peat

This past Saturday, I was invited to attend the grand opening of Portland's newest floral design and home decor stores, Ink & Peat. I was SO excited – I had been meaning to stop by Pam's store since she first opened her doors a few weeks ago and knew I would be in for a treat based on the pictures she had posted on her blog.


And boy, she did not disappoint! Ink & Peat is filled with treasures big and small that include must-haves for the home and body. While taking the photos below, my heart kept jumping with delight as I discovered piece after piece.


And yes, I did not leave empty-handed! Besides a set of dish towels (you can never have too many designer towels!), I snagged a gorgeous blue serving bowl, a delicious-smelling candle, an adorable silver ring, and a beautiful gift for a friend who's having a birthday in a few weeks.


And the flowers, oh, the flowers! Pam's arrangements are so beautiful, they're like pieces of art! I especially loved how she sprinkled vases and containers with just a stem or two throughout her displays. It made the store come to life!


And what would a grand opening be without a spread of goodies? Pam and her family outdid themselves – everything looked gorgeous, of course, but was absolutely delicious as well!


And aren't these little party favors adorable? Amy with Candywinkel did a great job tying in the favors with Pam's colors and tags!


INK & PEAT
3808 N. Williams Avenue • Portland • 503.282.6688 • www.inkandpeat.com

shoptalk – plum blossom press

Today's shop talk takes me all the way across the country to the East Coast to visit Plum Blossom Press, a fabulous husband-and-wife team who create gorgeous letterpress invitations.

Matthew and Erica launched Plum Blossom Press just last year and look at some of their fabulous creations:


They offer custom work as well – they have their own antique letterpress – and now they've expanded their offerings by opening up a store front (how fun!). Look, they carry my Cecily Ink line! (thanks for the photos, Matt!)


PLUM BLOSSOM PRESS
163 Main Street • Staaten Island NY • 718.984.4363 • www.plumblossompress.com

shop talk – the paper station

I'm not a big fan of air travel (too many people in too small a space with too many bumps and mechanical noises!) but I am a big fan of the Portland airport. It's a nice, manageable size, clean and organized, and best of all, they have some great shops where you can easily kill some time if you're early for a flight or waiting for a loved one to arrive.


I especially love The Paper Station – as the name implies they have a great selection of greeting cards and other paper products (I found the cutest graduation card there not too long ago).


But what I really love is their variety of other gift items that make perfect hostess gifts. Just look at their selection of lotions and bath goodies! And yes, they have travel sizes that will make it through security – so your hands can stay nice and moisturized while you're a mile high in the sky.


And if you packed in a hurry and left home without your jammies, not to worry: you can pick out a new nightie or some stylish boxer shorts right there at the airport.


Need an extra carry-on for all the goodies you just picked up at The Paper Station? They've got you covered there, too, with this summer's latest styles of oilcloth bags, satchels and carry-alls. Love all the bright colors and patterns!


And last but not least, they offer plenty of gifts for the wee ones in your life. Great to keep in mind, should you (heaven forbid) have forgotten to pick them up a little something during your trip (don't worry, I won't tell!)


THE PAPER STATION
7000 NE Airport Way • Portland Airport • 503.335.3339