Ring in the New Year with Style

                                                       

New Year's Eve is a night of high expectation. From the simple "must-find" perfect party dress to the more lofty New Year's eve resolution, and everything in between. And let's not forget the expectations we set for the evening itself. Like you, I have had some fabulously unforgettable NYE's, some "so-so" evenings, and others I wish I could forget all together. But despite it all I live for a good NYE party with good friends, good style, and "mmm good" champagne cocktails.

{above}  Sofia Mini Champagne cans, Francis Ford Coppola Winery; Carrington Crystal Bow Necklace, FENTON FALLON for JCREW; Gorgeous Wedding Gowns, Martha Stewart Weddings

The Sunday Paper: 12 Things I Can't Live Without

Welcome to the first edition of The Sunday Paper! In addition to the blogs we will post throughout the other six days of the week, The Sunday Paper will be a weekly post featuring the thoughts, loves, and adventures of the girl behind Paper Anniversary as she experiences new stages of life and business. We hope that this online diary of sorts will give you insight into the people of Paper as well as inspire you to live what you love.

Today's Paper...

12 Things I Can't Live Without by Sommer Stiles

1.  My husband Henry - that's a given.

2.  Long chats over a glass of wine {or two, three} with the girls - for me it's the best therapy. 

3.  Sperry top siders. They're comfy, look good with just about anything, and perhaps why I love them most - they remind me of my childhood.

4.  Music. Top three recently played songs: "Walking on a Dream," by Empire of the Sun, "Hometown Glory" by Adele, and "Love Will Tear Us Apart," by Broken Social Scene.

5.  Lockets. To adorn and keep photos of loved ones close to the heart.

6.  Moleskine notebooks. One by my bed and one in my purse so I am never without a place to write down my ideas as they come to me.

7.  Sunny days under 80 degrees. Also known as winter in Florida.

8.  Farmer's markets. The morning of my wedding I walked over to the Winter Park Farmer's market (one of my favorites), got breakfast, and as many bundles as I could carry of fresh cut flowers for the bridal suite and the reception site, great way to start the day.

9.  My Electra Amsterdam Classic Cruiser. It gets me places.

10.  No. 2 Pencils. A necessity for sketching, note taking, and much preferred to pens.

11.  Laughing. It's both an expression and source of joy. I couldn't imagine life without it.

12.  Paper (This one you probably saw coming *wink*). A staple for my business and the only medium for a handwritten note.

I heart these: a Christmas wish list

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

Love the blog, love the book.

Verabel  Book Locket and Birds

Similar to some of the heirloom pieces in my collection, but with a touch of modern whimsy.

Bicycle iPod Player 

At Paper Anniversary we adore our vintage bicycle, with this we can cruise to our own tune.

               

Kate Spade Zoe Slippers.

My feetsies will stay most warm AND most cute in these slippers.

 

Tokyo Milk Gift Set, 1-888-65TOKYO

All my smell good needs in one fabulously designed package.

For the Man in Your Life

Twas the Sunday before Christmas and not a present in the house...not even a a gift as small as a stocking stuffer. 

This year I'm afraid time has gotten the best of me and I now join the crowds of last minute Christmas shoppers scurrying for the crumbs left behind by their more prepared counterparts. That's not to say I haven't spent previous weeks or months thinking about what I would give to those oh so special individuals on my Christmas list. I just haven't committed to the purchase, so to speak. The hardest decision, my husband's Christmas gift, perhaps the most important of them all. He does so much for me and our family throughout the year and I want this year's gift to be something he'll be raving about long into 2010. Whilst shopping for this all important present for the man in my life, I came across some great gift ideas for the man in yours...

KVintners' "The Boy." A Syrah by Washington State winemaker KVintners  offering senational aromatics with notes of kirsch liqueur, smoke, black cherry, and bluberry.  My husband enjoys a good red wine as much if not more than a good scotch and with a name like "The Boy" it is all the more befitting. 

Manhattan Map Cuff Links by Jamie Riley for Bella Moda Artists . Love these! Christmas or Wedding gift for the guy who has everything or add even more personalization to the groom/groomsmen gift this cufflinks are a one of a kind gift. Have yours personalized with your home city or favorite destination. 

The Art of Shaving travel kit.  For the jetsetter or the honeymooner this is a great gift for you (think kissably soft skin that smells uber masculine) and him (all his skincare needs in one handsome package).

Bean Boots by L.L. Bean. Your guy doesn't need to be a native of New England to sport these boots. Snow, rainy weather, look great with jeans...all good reasons to buy your man a pair of the classic man boot.

Worksman bicycle. This bicycle offers more than a "green" mode of transportation, this classic cruiser offers style to any rider . Buy two so you can enjoy Sunday rides to the park or your favorite cafe.

Good luck my fellow last minute shoppers! And happy holidays!!!

Tis the season for giving

Ever since I was a young girl I have volunteered in my community. Soup kitchens, toy drives, charity fundraisers, you name it. These days I find my time more limited but still try to give back at the holidays and throughout the year. About six months ago I became a member of the Junior League of Tampa (JLT) . 

JLT is "an organization of over 1600 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers [excerpt from JLT mission statement]." As a member and trained volunteer I participate in various JLT sponsored community projects. One such project is the Academy Prep Center of Tampa , a private, nonprofit, co-ed middle school that promotes the educational, social, and ethical development of inner-city students. JLT conducts a social skills program for Academy Prep students, including a year-end event allowing the students to practice their newly acquire skills. 

Having volunteered with the project, meeting the faculty and students, I wanted to make their year-end event (a graduation luncheon held at The Columbia Restaurant  in Ybor City) extra special. This year the faculty, students, JLT committee members, as well as other notable invitees all received  invitations designed by Paper Anniversary . At the event, attendees would find programs and placecards, also by Paper Anniversary , at each place setting. It was so rewarding to create these pieces for the students, and considering all the hard work they put in this semester, not to mention the continued dedication of the Center's staff and supporters, it was the least I could do. 

The icing on the cake...going to the luncheon and seeing the students names handwritten on each placecard. {smile}

Trash the Dress

When a friend of mine introduced me to Trash the Dress I was in shock and awe. My first thought was "I would die"...better yet, "my mother would die" if I ever "trashed" my most beloved Monique Lhuillier!  But then the artist in me overtook the sentimental sap and I thought "genius!" The above photo by Sarasota, FL based photographer Audrey Snow is nothing less than a work of art. 

Learn more about Trash the Dress at www.trashthedress.com.

Read the story behind the photo at www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=148131081859.

Visit Audrey Snow's website at audreysnowphotography.com.