Destination Dempsey: Fourth of July 2017

We’ve had a lot of fun in the office sharing stories about how we enjoyed our July 4^th holiday weekends. From overseas, to right here in New York, Dempsey & Carroll knows how to make the most out of any destination!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit for holiday weekends? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels!

Rockaway Beach

My holiday was spent right here in sleepy New York City hanging out in the parks and strolling the river fronts. I live on the Lower East Side so it’s a quick jaunt down to the Seaport to hop on the new ferry to Rockaway Beach. The breezes were delightful and only a few oyster catchers were our nearest neighbors. – Austin

Park Guell, Barcelona

Sailing off the coast of Barcelona

One of the most mesmerizing experience was to sail the Mediterranean Sea while watching the sunset along the cost of Barcelona—a must do for anyone visiting this breathtaking part of Spain. I also think that strolling through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is eye opening and very enjoyable for art lovers. While walking through the Gothic Quarter, you might find yourself eating at a food blogger’s all-time favorite spot ‘Flax & Kale’ or shopping at Love Vintage. I learned that regardless of what you have planned for your day, Barcelona is a city full of gorgeous little surprises. - Umara

Storm King Mountain

Over the holiday weekend my family and I drove to see the beautiful scenery along the Hudson River. We ended our site seeing adventure looking towards Storm King Mountain– It was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I felt like I had traveled to a completely different world. I always love exploring New York State and photographing my journeys! – Ariel

4th of July Sparklers

I enjoyed a stellar weekend with my family on Cape Cod. We were primarily in a town called Brewster, but also took a day trip to Provincetown. There was plenty of swimming, fishing, grilling, and sparklers to celebrate the 4^th of July holiday! – Megan

Destination: London

Rooftop Pimm’s Cups

The London Eye

It’s always nice to spend a few days in London. The weather was unseasonably warm for my visit, which was a delightful treat! I visited a few of my favorite parks – Green Park in St. James (such a cute area) and Regent’s Park. Queen Mary’s rose garden was in bloom, which was a really rare to see. We did a ton of eating, too! Nopi in Soho was great for lunch and we had some wonderful dinners at The Wolseley, Luca, and Barrafina. The new Barrafina location in Soho is a lot bigger than the Drury Lane location, so it was pretty easy to get a seat – plus it’s really fun to eat snacks and have a few cocktails at the counter as you wait for a seat to pop up. Selfridges also had a great Wimbledon themed bar on their roof while we were in town. It was a nice way to break up the day – a Pimm’s Cup and Andy Murray on a roof in Mayfair – not bad! – Carolyn

Herbert Brook on Mt. Marshall

Adirondack Chairs on the porch

View of Mt. Colden from Flowed Lands

There’s nothing like heading out of the city for a holiday weekend to enjoy the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. I grew up in the area, so it’s always a treat to hike in the High Peaks with my family and friends and then kick back with craft beer from Ausable Brewing Company after a long day on the trails. There’s also a charming Farmers Market every Sunday at Marcy Airfield in Keene Valley, where you can find purchase fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, and a variety of local goods. The drive to Keene Valley on Route 9N has the most breathtaking views as you head to The Garden, which is main trailhead for the Johns Brook area. – Emma

24 Hours in London with Mark Ingram

Working out of his Manhattan atelier, Mark Ingram is best known for pairing the most beautiful brides to the most gorgeous wedding dresses. Dempsey and Carroll’s Austin Ackles recently asked him to take note of his very favorite delights and inspirations while out and about in glorious London. Spot on, Mark!

How to get There

I absolutely adore London–I have traveled there one or two times a year for the past 14-15 years. One of the reasons I find myself there so often is that I love to fly Virgin Atlantic Upper Class service ‘across the pond’. Whenever I am going to Milan, Rome or Barcelona, I will normally fly through Heathrow, have a small layover, and then go on my way via British Airways. I could spend a full day in the Virgin Upper Class lounge as it remains one of the few full service clubhouses with complimentary menu dining, full bar selection, showers, and rest options. A layover is a pleasure!

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

The 15 minute ride on the Heathrow Express train to London makes that trip painless, with train platforms just below the Virgin Airways terminal.

Where to Stay

My preferred hotels in London are mostly part of the Firmdale boutique hotel chain. I will trade full service and larger (usually poorly designed) rooms for the decor, ambiance, spa-like bathrooms, high thread count linens, and location of these exquisite boutique hotels. I have stayed in Firmdale properties in Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Dorset Square a number of times. They may be pricey, but hotels are a huge part of the travel experience whether away on business or pleasure. I don’t treat it with a “well, I just sleep here” mentality! Firmdale Hotel

About two years ago I discovered the charming Radisson Blu Edwardian-Mercer St. Hotel, and the lobby and restaurant were just upgraded recently. If you enjoy theater as I do, then this Covent Garden location is amazing. Located on a charming corner where seven small streets meet at a roundabout and monument, this is also a favorite place to stay when budget is more concerning.

Radisson Hotel

Overall, I prefer the Soho/Covent Garden, Marylebone and Chelsea/South Kensington neighborhoods to rest my head. I always love to use the remarkable and very efficient London Tube subway system to zip around the city!

Where to Eat and Drink

Adventures in Notting Hill will usually lead to a stop at the fabulous Ottolenghi for lunch and/or dessert.

Croissants at Ottolenghi

Michelin House
A visit to the Art Nouveau Michelin Building in South Kensington must include lunch at Bibendum upstairs (the entire area is quite charming).
Any of the Carluccio’s restaurants are perfect for enjoying a light meal or coffee and dessert

A meal at Carluccio’s

The Wolseley
The Wolseley, a London restaurant staple located in Piccadilly, used to be a grand bank before it was converted to a very popular eatery about a decade ago. The tall ceilings and marble décor make it very appealing along with a broad range of food on the menu.
Nothing is better than High Tea at Browns Hotel and evening cocktails at Claridge’s Hotel.

Top London Sites and Experiences

The hustle and bustle of the narrow, two lane Oxford Street, with pedestrians, double decker buses, street vendors and grand old emporium department stores like Selfridges.
The curve of Regent Street as it approaches Piccadilly; the limestone Regency office buildings at that vantage point are so grand, impressive, elegant, and stately.

Regent Street

Baker Street station, London Tube
A walk across the Thames River on almost any bridge (especially Waterloo Bridge) with clamor of the railroad trains just beside you at street level as they leave and approach Waterloo Station and Embankment.

Waterloo Bridge
Arriving at the Baker Street tube station and learning that it was built in the 1860’s for the underground steam engine subway line. Steam was released at holes in the tunnels leading up to the street level.
A stroll through Chelsea and South Kensington (just off the tube station), through the beautiful streets and courts of stately town houses with immaculate gardens and window boxes, on the way to Harrods and Harvey Nichols. A walk through Pelham Crescent off of Fulham Road is a must, as you will see pristinely preserved architecture from the Regency Period.

Where are your favorite destinations to visit in London or other cities around the world?Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels.

Memorial Day Packing Essentials

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us! Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or overseas, we wanted to share a few of our staples for any destination.

The Beach

Endless Summer

Aquazurra “Wild Thing” Sandals

L.L. Bean Tote Bags

Endless Summer Sunglasses

The Bag: A classic tote bag for all of your beach essentials like this one from L.L Bean
The Shoes: Stylish sandals to slip on for happy hour. We love making a statement in these ones by Aquazurra.
The Stationery: Say hello from the beach with our Endless Summer Collection

A Long Weekend Abroad

Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag

Chanel Lambskin Ballerinas

The Jet Set Collection

The Bag: A leather bucket bag in a neutral color like the Mansur Gavriel Flamma.
The Shoes: A versatile pair of flats are easy to fit in a suitcase and they’ll match any outfit. You can’t go wrong with the classic Ballerinas by Chanel.
The Stationery: Fly away with our Jet Set Collection and send letters from all over the world

A Camping Trip

Osprey Escapist 25

Vasque Breeze III

Schumacher Zanzibar and Lansdale Journals

The Bag: A backpack with plenty of space for a day hike like the Escapist 25 from Osprey. Make sure that your pack is weatherproof!
The Shoes: Sturdy hiking boots for all terrain like the Breeze III by Vasque.
The Stationery: Stash a Schumacher Journal in your pack wherever you go

We hope that you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! What are some of your packing essentials for the Holiday Weekend?

Retail Partner Spotlight: Ito-Ya

Dempsey & Carroll’s Chandra Cox offers a glimpse into the world of one of our esteemed Retail Partners.

If Willy Wonka’s enchanted land had consisted of beautiful stationery instead of delectable candies, then it would probably bear resemblance to ITO-YA.

ITO-YA is a specialty stationery store founded in 1904 in Tokyo, Japan. Its incredible twelve-story flagship store is located on the main street of the Ginza district in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Major renovations were completed in 2015 to enhance their offerings. In addition to seven levels dedicated to many categories of paper goods and desk accessories, the top three levels of ITO-YA spectacularly house a business lounge, hydroponic farm, and cafés.

This last photo is a favorite of ITO-YA buyer Etsuko Sato. She never tires of looking at all of the beautiful cards and stationery and has loved ITO-YA since she was a child. Being a big collector of cards, papers and stamps, she says “I think stationery is special and the best way to connect with the people you love and care for. Somehow, it conveys the love and warmth of people’s thoughts in a way that text messages or social media cannot. ”

Be sure to add ITO-YA to your must-visit list if you plan on traveling to Tokyo!

For the Love of Script: The Importance of Teaching Cursive Writing in Schools

Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles shares his thoughts on the importance of script and how cursive writing should always be taught in schools.

I know there’s a lot of debate about teaching cursive writing in schools, but studies have shown that when notes are taken by hand (versus notes typed into a device), the information is much better retained. Furthermore, writing in cursive is fast and efficient, while block printing tends to take more time.

I can’t imagine someone not having a cursive signature. Though digital signatures are now legally binding when necessary, something important like a condolence letter should always be handwritten and sent through the post. A Facebook message or email is never acceptable for serious, life changing matters.

When I was searching for my last two jobs, I would apply electronically and then send a printed hard copy in the mail. I know that the electronic applications to several companies were completely overlooked while the printed ones got me in the door. At the bottom of those printed cover letters, you must have a cursive signature to finish it off. Following a job interview, a handwritten thank you note will be noticed and remembered far longer than an email.

Dempsey & Carroll always gets busy in the early fall with parents ordering engraved correspondence cards for their children. It’s school application time and those kids will all be following up with handwritten thank you notes after interviews. Cursive writing is a must if you’re looking to impress admissions at prestigious schools.

While a few of our clients do send digital save the dates, everyone sends a printed wedding invitation. As the recipient, you will need to send back a reply card, and a cursive signature is going to look very appropriate after that “M” prompt on many R.S.V.P cards.

If my child’s school did not teach cursive writing, I would teach it to her myself. Good social skills and dexterity never go out of fashion!

National Card and Letter Writing Month 2017

The U.S. Postal Service officially designated April as National Card and Letter Writing Month in 2001 “to raise awareness of the importance and historical significance of card and letter writing.”

We have always been strong proponents of handwritten correspondence and we firmly believe that there is no comparison to receiving a letter in the mail. In celebration of National Letter Writing month, the Dempsey & Carroll team has once again accepted the challenge of writing 30 letters in 30 days. Even if you can’t commit to writing a letter a day, we encourage all of our followers to pen a few notes to friends or family members who you have fallen out of touch with. Even if it is just a short note, the recipient will be thrilled to know that you took the time to think about them.

Write with us!

Throughout the month of April, we will have letter writing materials available at our flagship store at 1049 LEX for anyone who would like to take a few moments to write a letter. We have the paper, envelopes, writing utensils, and stamps; all that you need to do is write and we’ll send the letter off for you!

Letter Writing at 1049 Lexington

As a reminder, Our Annual Engraved Note Sheet Sale is taking place throughout the month of April for those of you who are fond of writing longer letters.

Get Social

Do you have a favorite place where you like to catch up on correspondence? Have you been practicing your calligraphy to add a special touch to your letters? Be sure to use the #nationalletterwritingmonth hashtag if you share any posts related to writing letters. Rumson Road

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Real Weddings: Lauren & Sam

Real Wedding

Lauren & Samuel

Brooklyn Museum

December 17^th, 2016

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Wild winter weather provided a spectacular backdrop to Lauren and Samuel’s ceremony. Sided by charming brickwork from the original Beaux-Arts structure that was designed by the legendary firm of McKim, Mead & White, ensconced guests could gaze past the chuppah, over a joyous gospel choir, and through a modern glass addition with evolving weather cascading safely beyond.

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Lauren first visited with Dempsey and Carroll’s Austin Ackles last June with her sister Carolyn and their mother, Wendy, in tow. The three (all sharp, design savvy and decisive) arrived with a very clear vision and with a great appreciation for the tried-and-true engraving process. Our Pewter ink and Dempsey White paper thrilled them, while the hand calligraphed names of the bride and groom contrasted perfectly with the modern font for the text. After the calligraphy is handwritten, it is then etched into a copper plate that’s inked and pushed to paper, one by one, on an antique press. Finally, edges of the invitation were carefully beveled and hand painted with silver ink and envelopes were finished with a subtle, shimmering silver lining.

With cocktails in hand, guests mingled amongst masterpieces by Corot, Cassatt, and Degas in the colonnade before moving in under the impressive skylight space. The overall feeling was of a classic ice palace, but one given warmth and an edgy modernity, with magically-hued lighting effects in pinks and greens and lavenders.

A winter wonderland and subtle pine scent surrounded Dempsey & Carroll escort cards. Columns of birch echoed those of marble and massive scale that bordered the space.

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Additional lighting effects gave the impression of late in the day sun weaving its way through a cluster of swaying aspens.

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A smartly conceived floor plan ensured that the guests were wowed by the immense history of place while still close enough to one another for an intimate vibe. Lauren and Samuel’s marriage celebration carried on as everyone let go to classic Motown, R&B favorites and early hip-hop.

Dempsey & Carroll is pleased to have had a role in such a brilliant affair. Congratulations to a most lovely couple!

Credits:

Photography: Ira Lippke Studios

Wedding Planner: Vanda High Events

Eighteen Seventy Eight

Gracious Corresponding

Category Archives for Stationery