Nothing To Grouse About

The latest addition to the Bon Vivant collection at ShopSouthernArrondissement! I adore his short little legs and round little belly! This is a great stationary option for the man in your life. It adds a little personality without being cute. (You know you can't describe a man's stationary as cute.) Just another fabulous option from the creative mind of Liza Cleveland! 

Zebras And Koi Fish And Chevron, Oh My

I am SOOOO excited, we just added Bon Vivant stationary to the Shop. Bon Vivant is the brainchild of graphic artist and Novel. Charleston showroom co-owner Liza Cleveland. Her designs marry whimsy and style; her work makes me actually want to write notes. All of these cards (and the others we have in the shop) can be customized to your hearts desire! 

A Novel Idea.

My free time in Charleston was mostly spent meandering down King Street, the heart of shopping in the historic city. Charleston feels like it is forever changing-which is such an interesting concept for a place that is so old and filled with tradition. Upper King is really evolving, every time I visit there is a new restaurant or bar; the Charleston branch of Raleigh's The Alley (bowling alley for those not familiar) will be opening on Upper King in the near future. Go further down the Peninsula, and you will find the almost institutional, at this point, Bob Ellis shoes-a place where the well-heeled in Charleston can get their Louboutin fix. The unfortunate closing of the Saks on King made way for (whomp whomp) Forever 21, but it's also giving growth to some of the really wonderful boutiques that dot the landscape on the bustling street. More on some of those to come. A new(er) edition is Novel. A collaborative effort of some super talented and creative ladies that have come together and opened this beautiful, bright space located right above the Cynthia Rowley boutique. It is home to Bon Vivant, a custom stationary line, Library, an archive of vintage fashion curated by Lauren Lail, Jane Pope/Balboa jewelry, and blue chickadee-hand painted art and accessories by Way Way Allen. Liza Cleveland, the creator of Bon Vivant met me there with her precious pup Sully and let me take a tour. Three all-white rooms are the canvas for the wares at Novel. You'll find a vintage Chanel bag nestled under a bright canvas, a hand-painted bib (with antlers!) next to a custom stationary set-complete with matching ink pen. I spent a lot of time on the vintage racks, and ended up with the gorgeous blue beaded number below. With vintage things just seem to jump out at you; you can look at the same rack three times and each time see something you hadn't seen the previous glance. There were adorable bloomers with pale blue or pink animals adorning the primetime space-really sweet and unique baby shower gift ideas. Not to mention the wall art-ranging from modern to sweet (for a nursery or child's room). Liza's line of notecards and stationary is wonderfully imaginative and bright. She can create anything it would appear. 

Wall of cards from Bon Vivant

Vintage baby clothes with a blue chickadee canvas tote!

Vintage belts and Bon Vivant notecards

Gorgeous vintage dress. MINE.

A painting by Way Way Allen, vintage (fabulous) sunglasses, and Bon Vivant notepads.

Gorgeous vintage pleated dress. Great for a summer wedding.

Vintage earrings courtesy of Jane Pope/Balboa jewelry!

blue chickadee bibs, bloomers, and canvas totes!!!

Vintage earrings from Balboa

Bon Vivant notecard and envelope set

Love.

We should all be so lucky. Read the transcript here at Letters of Note, as well as many other examples of correspondence from the grand to the mundane. President Reagan's is one of my favorites.  

2012 Already??

It is absolutely impossible to believe that 2011 is more than half-way over. Everywhere I look-stores, magazines, websites-I'm seeing Fall roll out. While looking at turtlenecks and fur-lined vests is just too daunting right now, this adorable wall calendar from mac & murphy in Charleston is much more palatable when contemplating the changing seasons. This adorable 2012 calendar by Linda and Harriett is a bright and cheerful way to stay organized in the coming months. 

mac & murphy-a Charleston paper company

74 1/2 Cannon Street, Charleston, SC 29403

843.576.4394

http://www.macandmurphy.blogspot.com

or look them up on Facebook!

mac and murphy-a charleston paper company

Linda & Harriett wall calendar

Although I am writing to you on a blog, reaching you through the internets, I still strongly believe in the old fashioned art of letter writing. I think that there is a little rush of emotion when you check your mail and there is a hand-addressed envelope with your name on it mixed in with the credit card offers (toss them) and the Domino's and teeth bleaching coupons (save them). To me it says: you are worth this stamp that I had to purchase in order to get you this information. They love me!!! I think that stationary can be a beautiful expression of your taste or humor or sense of style. I respect the need for formal stationary and a functional understanding of Emily Post-style ettiquette, but I love that there are so many casual, fun options for dropping people a note these days. 

The mac and murphy storefront at 74.5 cannon street

To that end, the girls at mac and murphy in Charleston, SC are known for their whimsical collections of stationary, note cards, invitations, journals and more! The owners of the shop Liz Macpherson and Ami Murphy clearly have a sense of humor as well as an eye for beauty. Their storefront, a beautifully renovated historic space on Cannon Street, is open and bright and even includes a terrace garden-the perfect place to sit down and write to an old friend. Mac and murphy carries Linda & Harriet, SusyJack*, Snow and Graham and more. You can even go to the girls of mac and murphy to let the world (or just friends and family) know about your big day; they can handle your save the dates, shower invitations, and wedding invitations and they take care to represent the individual style of each bride! Call them to set up your appointment, or stop by to pick up some stinker cards!

stinker cards?!? i need them.

mac and murphy-a charleston paper company

www.macandmurphy.com

74.5 Cannon Street

Charleston, SC 29403

843.576.4394

email: write@macandmurphy.com

www.macandmurphy.blogspot.com

****ALSO, for those of you in Charleston, mac and murphy is having an event for NEST a very cool and empowering organization aimed at lifting up female artisans and artists around the world. It's a great cause, and a fun place to learn more. The event is today (February 5th) from 1-4 at mac and murphy! Happy shopping!****