When you sit in a café, not a chain, rather a proper authentic café anywhere in the world you immediately feel immersed in the culture – the vibe of the city permeates all of your senses. The smell of the streets, the architecture, the temperature, the preferred culinary anchors – if you are receptive it …
Category: Stationery
Why do we save letters?
I often question why I save letters. I have little notes my husband wrote to me when we first started dating, cards my father sent to me while I was in boarding school (my favorite one says “I picked this one just for you” with a little girl picking her nose on the cover), letters …
An Invitation that Speaks a Thousand Words
Sometimes the key to unlocking our own history is found in the unlikeliest of ways. For California resident Mark Harrison, a beautiful discovery led him to a deeper understanding of his heritage and how it contributes to the person he is today. A few years ago, Harrison discovered an invitation created by Dempsey & Carroll …
The Paper Anniversary: Wedding Anniversary Traditions and their Modern Twists
It is said that tradition dictates the etiquette of our time. Yet these traditions are subject to change, each developing its own modern twist to find its place in today’s world. Paper is the traditional first anniversary gift. The symbolism behind paper as the first anniversary gift lies in its construction; paper is bound together …
Remembering the Monarchs: A Look at Rachel Carson’s Correspondence
This week, we celebrate Rachel Carson as one of the most influential advocates for environmental conservation. Her groundbreaking work Silent Spring, published on September 27, 1962, eventually led to the American government’s ban on DDT for agricultural use and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Throughout her life, Carson exchanged letters with her friend …
Why We Still Write Letters
Think of how many emails you receive in a day. They come from family and friends to fill you in on their lives, maybe with an attached picture of their new home or their dog. They’re sent throughout the day at all hours, containing business proposals, updates, commands, changes, ideas. You type up your reply, brief …
The Art of Gracious (and Fabulous!) Hosting
Make their visit one that they’ll remember! When I host guests, I like to make them feel welcome—that my home has become their home away from home. As an avid traveler, I enjoy staying with friends; I can admit that one of the most gratifying feelings I experienced was feeling a warm sense of welcome …
A Love of Many Colors: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Imagine a love fueled by both intense devotion and tumultuous passion. This was the reality for artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. During the span of their 27 year relationship, artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exchanged numerous letters that reflect the spectrum of their love, encompassing their joy, anguish, and desire. In 1922, Frida …
Illuminate Your Signature: The Story and Etiquette of Monograms
Monograms are more than just initials. It is a name stripped to its essence. A monogram tells a tale of our identity, who we are and who we want to be. The first monograms were seen on coins as early as 350 B.C. in Ancient Greece. The monograms on the coins were the first two …
Revisiting Our 14 Days of Valentines: The Chosen Love Note
This year we at Dempsey & Carroll asked ourselves, “Why does Valentine’s Day have to be only one day?” With this question in mind, we launched the 14 Days of Valentines to promote and honor the love that surrounds us. We extended the opportunity to everyone to share their love notes with us. After being …