easter feaster...

There are many a moment when I feel a touch biased writing blog posts to all of you...  
Especially when it comes to writing about upcoming holidays, like Easter.
Because the truth is that many people don't celebrate Easter.. either because they don't identify with the religious sources from whence the celebration of the day originally stems, or because they believe it's a commercialized holiday "made up" for no other reason than to push consumers to buy.

But then there's me.
I'm the type who wants to talk to you about Easter because I love coloring hard-boiled eggs. They're so pretty. And the sound of the colored discs fizzing in vinegar is one of the best sounds ever.
Plus I work in a stationery shop and am incessantly ordering greeting cards and just can't help myself with the pretty pastel palette that I get to smother the shop in this time of year.
Not to mention, the idea of hunting for chocolate candies in the backyard, and filling little crystal dishes with Pectin jelly beans just really does it for me.

When I think of Easter, I think of my family together at my gram's, taking a stroll around the block before the ham comes out of the oven... smelling the crisp breeze and wearing floral patterned socks with chartreuse flats, proudly.
I also think about my Mom toasting up coconut to put on her bunny cake - which is SUPREMELY delicious (**and I will have to remind her to make gluten free this year!)

So I guess I'm asking for you to take that all into consideration as you read the following:

We're 2 weeks from Easter Sunday and I'm all jazzed up deciding which cards I'm going to send to who. (I know you all agree, handwritten cards sent in the mail are the bomb.)
(Diggidy.)

I don't want you to forget, if you do like to send Easter cards, that they're here and ready for ya.
And, if you're not into the Easter card thing, no worries... we don't judge. We have all sorts of other great cards that you could write to the people you love instead. I'll even share some jelly beans if you want a sweet little treat.

 

(photos courtesy of Rifle Paper Co., Farewell Paperie & Dee & Lala)

Happy Friday, pals! Here's to you and your lovely memories of Spring -

XO Lizzy

happy birthday miss. samantha....

Top of the afternoon to you guys and gals!

Today is Thursday - count it - 4th day in the work week which means it's almost the weekend! Woooty woo!!

I am writing today with some fabulous, fun and festive news to share...

And I know, there's been a lot of news around here lately... but this is the good stuff.
The warm and fuzzy stuff.
The stuff that makes me smile to myself, my what a lucky gal I've been to stroll into the good graces of people like Miss. Samantha Finigan.

Today is her birthday.
A big day.
A day that I hope is filled with snuggles with Gus, some cozy soup and a sammie with melted cheese for lunch (because it's FLURRYING here - AGAIN!!!), a big hug and yummy meal tonight with her boy Peter, and little snippets of love and laughter all throughout the day.
Oh wait...
 ... and a ginormous slab of birthday cake.
I wish you the most ginormous slab of cake, Sam.
Notice the use of my word ginormous and slab right there. Twice. Trust me, that's how we roll here at G&R.
None of this "i'll have a sliver of birthday cake" business ;)

I came across Gus & Ruby Letterpress over 4 years ago, now.
It actually was all because of this current customer of ours named Nate who was ranting about how great Sam & Whit's shop was... of course I had to follow up and see what all the hub-bub was about after speaking with him.
Walking into Gus & Ruby Letterpress, I saw Gus bundled up in his bed, and Sam's pretty little self behind the counter and though to myself, "well, isn't this just the sweetest"...
By the time I dove into the greeting card bins and bought myself a few notebooks & candles, I knew that Gus & Ruby so much more than a card shop downtown. I was instantly drawn to the place because of the warmth and love that it was so obvious Sam & Whit put into every last detail of their shop.

Now I sit here, thinking over the birthday's of Sam's that we've celebrated together, feeling so impressed and overwhelmingly proud of the lady that I have the extreme pleasure of working with and calling a dear friend. Her enthusiasm, vigor for exploring the world, kindness and warm heart are all beyond measure.
She also loves treats as much as I do, which is something I love about her SO much... (nearly as much as I love treats!!  just kidding, just kidding ;)
And the laughs we share...
Well, I'm not going to get into the specifics... but let's just say there's always a lot of laughter around here.

 (photo courtesy of emilie inc.)

I wish I could buy her a pony for her birthday, but that probably isn't going to happen this year.

(I'm sorry Sam, I hope you won't be too disappointed.)

But, I do want to take this moment to wish her (along with Whit, Smash, Laura, Gus & Ruby) an EXTREMELY happy birthday. I am certain that the next 365 will be incredible days for her - full of much success and many incredible memories.

You deserve the brightest in life Sam.
Thank you for being just exactly as sweet and wonderful as you are, always.
Love you forever and happiest of birthday wishes to you! XO
Lizzy

P.S. If you see Sam walking down the street in Portsmouth at any point, I am requiring you to sing to her. Or at least say happy birthday. You know you wanna'!
;)

We're hiring a Retail Store Manager!

Hello dear readers! We hope you're having a great Tuesday afternoon. Guess what? We're hiring again! Our dear, dear Liz is heading off on a new adventure so we are looking for the next great Gus & Ruby Retail Store Manager.  Could it be you?

Take a peek at the details below and send us your resume & cover letter if you're interested in joining the team. It's a pretty fun place to be, if we do say so ourselves!

 

 (click to enlarge)