Wedspiration: finger foods

(Hand-held french fry bags. Photo by Davina + Daniel)

(Sliders! Photo by Max Wanger Photography)

Here's a wedding trend I can really get down with: un-fussy, down-home finger foods all dressed up and served at tailored weddings. I love good food, don't get me wrong, I'm just not of the belief that good food has to be fancy food.

(Grilled cheese wedges. Photo courtesy of B&G Photography)

Some of the best meals I've ever had are clean and un-pretentious. Good, honest, soul-warming food is where it's at. The combination of an elegant venue, abundance of romance and comfort food is a fabulous way to invite your guests to enjoy themselves and feel at home on your big day. I mean, really, is there anything more delicious and lovely than a mini grilled cheese served alongside champagne?

(Caramel apples. Photo by Sarah Maren Photography)

It's raining today...

Which means mud and slush. May I introduce you to Cinders?

(All photos courtesy of the Ross Parry Agency)

This little piggie has just the answer for some muck and mud and is too cute to even begin to write about. Her story can be found here.

HOLIDAY SALE!

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying the beautiful snow (fingers crossed it doesn't turn to rain)! We want to extend a HUGE thank you to our loyal customers who helped make our first holiday season an amazing success!

Over the next couple of weeks we will have a clearance sale on select holiday items. Holiday candles, wrapping paper and cards with fewer than 4 boxes left will be 40% off! Take advantage and stock up for next year! There is a variety of "leftovers" including these popular cards from Egg Press, Snow & Graham and Mr. Boddington's Studio. Come soon because they won't last long.

Comfort and Joy.

(Photo by Aga Inés, found via Twig & Thistle)

From all four of us at Gus & Ruby Letterpress, we wish you and yours a most joyous holiday full of sweet things,

(Photos from Martha Stewart, found via Twig & Thistle)

plenty of time to...
(Photo courtesy of Twig & Thistle)

gifts of laughter, good health, peace,
(Felt bow tutorial on How About Orange, pictures courtesy of Twig & Thistle)

and plenty of:
(Photo of Divine Twine, found on Twig & Thistle)

Dec. 24: 15% off Paper + Cup!

Merry Christmas Eve, y'all! Today is the final day for our "24 Days of Savings" event and the final brand is Paper + Cup Design out of New York. Paper + Cup (or P+C, as I call them) is a totally fresh and lovely company. I love their minimalist designs, use of white-space and modern takes on old-school ideas (like the above invitations, how fun are those!?)

In addition to carrying loads of their note sets, fill-in invitations and greeting cards, we also are happy to carry the Voyage Album by Paper + Cup. Voyage is P+C's amazing, flat-printed wedding invitation album. It's the perfect, budget-conscious solution for funky, fresh, modern, design-savvy brides!

(All photos courtesy of Paper + Cup)

Dec. 23: 15% off Orla Kiely!

Just two days left of our "24 Days of Savings" event! Today - stationery by Orla Kiely, a British company that originally specialized in textiles and fashion, is 15% off!

The journals and mini-jotters are just too cute for words. It's no surprise that this fashion-oriented brand has truly mastered pattern and colors. These goodies make perfect stocking stuffers for the chic lady or organization tools to start 2010 off on the right foot!

Stop by for some holiday cheer!

Oh, also I am completely obsessed with her bags! Seriously. I melt. Goal for 2010: treat myself to one of these beauties:

(All photos courtesy of Orla Kiely)

Dec. 22: 15% off Kolo!

Kolo albums all 15% off.

What can I say about Kolo that hasn't already been said? They are truly some of the absolute best-out-there photo albums and brag books. The quality of the products and classic, elegant look is unparalleled.

Come see for yourself!

(All photos courtesy of Kolo)

Dec. 21: 15% off Blue Ribbon Design!

Blue Ribbon Design, out of Manhattan, is one of those letterpress companies whose products make me catch my breath every time I see them. The exquisite printing and delicate, elegant designs are truly timeless. Greeting cards, note sets and flat cards all make for sweet correspondence.

I know it's hard to imagine, but 2010 wedding season will be gearing up quite soon! Bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride and ladies everywhere will soon be planning engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. Blue Ribbon Design letterpress imprintable flats make gorgeous (and economical) invitations for just those events! Additionally, they turn into adorable birth announcements, anniversary party invitations and birthday gatherings.

As always, Whit and I are here to help and are available to help design your invitations and even print them here at the store for you!

Stop by for some last-minute gift shopping and pick up some Blue Ribbon Design goodies at 15% off today!

(All photos courtesy of Blue Ribbon Design)

Dec. 20: 15% off Smudge Ink!

Happy snowy Sunday! I hope you are all cozy and enjoying this pretty winter wonderland. It's the perfect day to bundle up and stroll the lovely streets of downtown Portsmouth! Stop in for a cup of cocoa and 15% off Smudge Ink!

I love a lot of things about Smudge Ink. One of the things I really love about them is that they are local! Wooo hoo! Let's hear it for East Coast companies. Located in Charlestown, MA, With their use of fun patterns and bold colors, Smudge Ink makes some pretty rad letterpress and offset goodies.

Stock up on holiday goodies (never too early for 2010 prep!), grab adorable linen trays with sweet notes for a wonderful holiday gift, or snag some imprintable invitations for 2010 shindigs! The imprintables are so super cute - we have designs perfect for bridal showers, baby showers, summer parties, cocktail parties and everything in between. And, they couldn't be easier to run through your computer printer right at home. We'll even help you set them up, if you like!

Fun, patterned notepads to glam-up any desk or office:

Adorable boxed note-sets and single greeting cards:

Imprintable (they run through your own at-home printer!) flat cards for amazing DIY announcements, party invitations and cards:

(All photos courtesy of Smudge Ink)