On completely unexpected pieces of mail ~ Anthropologie really knows how to add those special little touches to the customer experience. While i was mixed on joining and getting an Anthro Card when i was at the Man Shops Globe event (and couldn’t help buying something) i gave in and signed up. The benefits weren’t quite clear… but i just recieved a pretty little bubble wrap envelop from them containing the cutest birdthday wishes with a cupcake made from piercings (a fun change from the letterpress trend) and a candle necklace… as well as an in store discount. But presentation matters! And it was such a surprising and adorable card. So thanks, Anthropologie, that was a pretty cute move. Check out close ups on the next page… even the copy is playful.

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Tags: branding - cards - gifts - print - shopping

I love it when you're excited about an event, but then the physical invite comes... and its JUST as fun - to the point where you want to pop it into a frame even! I've been pretty giddy about the idea of DWR branching into smaller gift/products, which they are appropriately calling "Tools For Living". The Santa Monica store is opening October 2nd ~ and i can't wait for the opening! Also, i think we can all agree that this will probably be a hit for holiday shopping -

The DWR: Tools for Living store is adjacent to Santa Monica's DWR Studio, on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and 4th Street, where Route 66 meets the ocean. Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is one of Southern California's most bustling districts, the ideal setting for DWR's first cash-and-carry concept. You'll find well-designed items for travel, work, kitchen, outdoor and more. Plus, with free, custom gift wrapping, DWR: Tool for Living is the area's best bet for the ideal gift for anyone who is design obsessed. Robert Rodriguez runs the store with his friendly staff.

So more to come on the launch... but for now, check out the full invite design on the next page! Love the silhouettes - black and the one red on a nice hefty cardboard...

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Tags: cards - dwr - invite - santa monica - shopping - store

Preprinted mini color booklets of 20 cards by Shinebox ~ filled with monsters saying all the grumbly things you wish you could, or know you shouldnt... Unmentionables! Spotted over at Swiss Miss, these little guys are quite adorably grumpy, and i couldn't decide my favorite, so see them all on the next page!

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Tags: cards - gifts - print - shopping

It's never too early for Christmas is it? I thought the old rule was that all the holiday goodies came out after Thanksgiving... but we're not even quite at Halloween. None the less ~ the Breeding Ground has designed some holiday cards that make things a bit more playful for the recipient. A beautiful X'mas is what you make of it. Opening the packet you get a stack of pop out and build yourself creatures, santa, etc... and you can arrange them as you wish. And if you write a message or draw on them, you further transform them into whatever you wish. Images of the whole process below!

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Tags: cards - gifts - shopping

Magic Symbols ~ its like a secret code through silver and string - and a card. "Once it is unwrapped to its full length of almost 4 feet (46" to be precise, or 120 cm), the meaning disappears and your secret love affair would never be recognizable in public as it turns into a multi-layered necklace. Only when you wrap it around the card, does the true meaning shows up." And that true meaning can be a heart, skull, or infinity symbol ~ seems like a brilliantly simple gesture, and also something easily replicable for the craftier kids in the group. Currently the soup du jour at Charles and Marie.

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Tags: cards - gifts - jewelry - shopping

I can't imagine sending any other e-cards other than these... to people with a sense of humor. Couldn't stop laughing and browsing when i saw these "Some Ecards": when you care enough to hit send that Evan over at Cool Hunting found. And as you can see, i couldn't decide which few were most amusing, bitter, hilarious... so here are 12 that seemed worth sharing, but there are MANY more for every situation you may (and hopefully will not) need a card for. "It was created by Brook Lundy and Duncan Mitchell, and designed by Jerry Tamburro. New cards, categories, and features will be frequently added until everyone involved with the site dies."

Tags: cards - gifts - ux - website

Went by the Miss Van/Junko Mizuno opening last night... and was floored. But before i show you all the gallery pics, here are scans of the limited edition Princesas postcard set (500 copies)... the paintings were drop dead gorgeous... literally could have spent all night standing and staring at them. Incredible thing is really how far she's come from the street art in the 90's, to practically instantly sold out $30,000 paintings.

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Tags: art - cards - prints - shopping