December 2012
2 posts
Lux Lotus: On Legends & Letters
Some years ago, I did a favor for a psychic and she offered me an intuitive reading in return. I said I’d like it as soon as possible, as I’d received the most important letter. I was in the midst of an affair with a novelist and we’d parted, sadly, a week or so earlier. His short, to-the-point letter reiterated our difference of opinion and our shared hope that we might work it out. We never did,...
Dempsey & Carroll About Town
On December 4th, Hundred Stories Public Relations hosted a pop up shop in the Azure building located on 91st street and 1st avenue on the Upper East Side.
The event took place in the spectacular south penthouse that floats just above the Upper East Side skyline on the 34th floor. The night was busy with an abundance of fine goods such as Poochclub, GIR spatulas, Gracious Homes, Holly Hunt, and...
November 2012
6 posts
Invitation to High Tea
Mind you, I have never been invited to High Tea with Queen Elizabeth, but I would certainly like to receive an engraved invitation with the seal of the House of Windsor. Important occasions deserve fine invitations. You don’t have to be royalty to use engraved stationery.
In fact, fine stationery and custom invitations create a sense of excitement and anticipation that social...
Fierce Dragons on STYLEBEAT
Our Opulent Gold Dragon made an appearance in this great post on STYLEBEAT: Call in the Dragons.
Says blogger Marisa Marcantonio:
“Expect a wild year said the Zodiac. With the Chinese Zodiac Year of The Dragon coming to a close soon, it is interesting to notice how many great dragon designs have been created anew. Fierce, respected, honored, feared and fictitious, the dragon inspires awe...
Daily Cup of Couture: Much Love for Monograms
Well darlings, for those of you who know me, understand that I have a slight love (almost madness!) for monograms. I have everything monogrammed from my Stubbs & Wootton slippers to my Pickard China. (The beautiful place setting still life to the left comes from Southern Living Magazine.)
I find that stationery is the most classic thing to include one’s monogram and Dempsey &...
Celebrate Democracy in Style
While many on the East Coast are still reeling from the death and destruction of Hurricane Sandy, life goes on. Citizens across the country will choose our next President and national, state and local government leaders today.
What better way to celebrate this year’s election than with this stunning engraved correspondence card by Dempsey & Carroll featuring the American flag.
...
Our New York Originals Party
If there’s one thing New Yorker’s know how to do, it’s recover quickly and in style. This was on full display last Thursday night as we offered our neighbors a respite from the stress and chaos of Sandy.
Our New York Originals Event was an intimate, lovely neighborhood gathering celebrating New York for what it was, is and will be. Crisp Gala apples from upstate were served with...
A Scrumptious Pumpkin Pairing
We’re relieved Sandy is behind us, so now we can get right back to enjoying the beautiful fall weather in Manhattan. It’ll take more than the biggest storm in a century to keep this city down.
I’m looking forward to the month ahead. Here’s a decadent pumpkin pairing that is perfect to share with those you love. The recipe comes courtesy of Some the Wiser, and you can find...
October 2012
7 posts
Daily Cup of Couture: Soiree to Stationery
Darlings, as you already know, it is always appropriate to send a thoughtful thank-you note after someone has hosted you for any type of soiree! I am always of the mind that it is fun to match your note with the theme or decor of the fabulous fete. A tablescape I absolutely adore is one that incorporates classic ginger jars with lush hydrageas. For a fun and fizzy touch, it is perfect to serve the...
Dempsey & Carroll Goes South in a Good Way
We are especially thrilled to announce that New York’s favorite stationer is now offered at the unrivaled Paces Papers in Atlanta, Georgia. Their offerings are a pleasure to sift through; every item is carefully curated and the result is a store brimming with elegant surprises. New York should really be closer to Atlanta…
A Cuppa with Daily Cup of Couture: Fall Flavor
Darlings, I must admit that Fall is absolutely my favorite season for fashion and this year is no exception! This Fall I am utterly inspired by classic Equestrian style with hints of “Hermes” orange. I adore the juxtaposition of complementing timeless elements such as navy blazers and camel coats with just a hint of edge like leopard, feathers, and fur!
Photo credits from left to...
And Now the Ampersand
“Even in its more basic modern form, the ampersand is far more than abbreviation. It also signifies permanence, not least to a professional partnership; Dean & Deluca are clearly in it for the long haul, as are Ben & Jerry’s, Marks & Spencer and the magazines House & Garden and Town & Country. But Simon and Garfunkel? No wonder they kept splitting up.“
Just My Type, by Simon...
Our Knock-em-dead Spread in Martha Stewart
Love Notes mix by The Love List
There’s nothing like a love song, is there? Tale as old as time, no matter the generation, it’s the prevailing theme whenever someone sits down with a pen and an instrument - notes and words, in perfect harmony. Beak out a pen of your own and plug into this mix, a love note of your own may emerge. Happy fall, y’all. Time to snuggle up.
Check out the Spotify mix right here.
The surface of your desk is a canvas begging to be dressed.
Keeping your office tidy will help keep your thoughts in order, and adding elegant and inspiring touches will help keep you motivated. The desk is as much an expression of personal style and taste as the jewelry around your neck.
We prefer to bedeck our work surfaces with glittering accessories that are as useful as they are...
September 2012
7 posts
Town & Country Weddings
Town & Country Wedding’s issue for the Fall/Winter season featured the invitation suite we created for the Rose-Lund Wedding in Washington, D. C.
It was a pleasure to create Kristen’s vision for a truly opulent invitation which was tied to the setting for her special day.
A Fine Fall Cocktail
One of my favorite things about living in the South is the gentile custom of cocktail hour. On certain Fridays in the fall, when the weather cools down just so, it’s great to sit out on your porch with a friend or two and jaw about the week behind you. Recently, at the store opening shindig that Billy Reid threw in Atlanta, I got acquainted with the gents that run American Spirit Whiskey,...
Runway to (Stationery) Wardrobe
The looks flouncing down New York City runways this past week have been a truly inspiring parade. Translating your favorite trends for Spring 2013 into your papers is a fantastic way to sustain your personal style from closet to desk.
There are myriad ways to tailor your stationery wardrobe to be uniquely yours. Here are a few examples of the possibilities for customization using the springboard...
Write Away in Traditional Home
The amazing Traditional Home has highlighted our Write Away Collection in their October issue. We are tickled pink, orange and blue!
The Pursuit of Stylish Stationery
Bombshell blog The Pursuit of Style used the brightly hand-bordered cards from our Write Away Collection in a post full of delicious stationery pairings. Take a look!
The Giant Beribboned Gift on Fifth
Fashion’s Night Out gets bigger every year and 2012 was no exception, especially at Bergdorf Goodman. The iconic NYC emporium celebrates its 111th anniversary next Tuesday, the 11th.
I made a beeline to my favorite store in the world last night for FNO, to see it in all of its glory and stopped short on 5th Avenue at first sight.
Bergdorf Goodman was beribboned in purple, like a...
Not Ready for Fall?
August 2012
8 posts
Welcome to the Neighborhood, Maison Kayser
We are thrilled to welcome Eric Kayser’s boulangerie, patisserie, and café, Maison Kayser, to the Upper East Side!
You may have visited a Maison Kayser on your travels through France, Russia, Japan, Ukraine, Greece, Morocco, or Senegal. We are honored that our little pocket of Manhattan is the first US outpost!
With approximately 1,000 loaves of the fresh bread emerging from their ovens...
Pretty Pink Tulips has the Write Idea
Elizabeth of pretty pink tulips posted some great shots of our Petite Gold Crown Cards, which come with an assortment of colored tissue liners, paired with some bright and beautiful Stabilo pens.
Thanks, Elizabeth! We’re treating her readers (and you) to free shipping through the end of August with the code pinktulip12.
Is it Griffin, Gryphon or Griffon?
With deep roots in heraldry and family crests at Dempsey & Carroll – almost 135 years to be exact – we are very familiar with a common element of the crest, the griffin. Originally spelled gryphon, this traditionally mystical creature stands tall with the head, wings, and claws of an eagle on the form of a lion. In classical heraldry, he stands for courage, strength, bravery, military...
Ted Kennedy Watson on the Note
Ted of Watson Kennedy has written an eloquent post about the Beauty of the Handwritten Note on his blog, Ted Kennedy Watson.
“I think what stops many folks is they think it needs to be lengthy,” he writes. “It does not. A few well-crafted sentences is all you need. Just make it personal and heartfelt. The mere fact that it is handwritten will make it so very special.”
...
Notes from Notables
from Letters of Note
Letters of Note, one of our favorite blogs, features letters and notes written by significant figures in history and culture.
The letters often reveal insight into their character, sometimes provide details about historical events, but always illustrate the importance of connecting with hand-written correspondence.
The following persons of interest embrace the importance...
My Heart Beats in Bergdorf Goodman
I swooned during my recent quick visit to Bergdorf Goodman as I went through the Akris collection Albert Kriemler designed to commemorate the store’s 111th anniversary.
This dress caught my eye but the black Loro Piana Storm system coat lined with the same subtle silk pattern won my heart.
My pulse quickened at the sight of Christian Dior’s wallet in Whisper Grey –it’s the quiet cousin of Mauve,...
Refreshing with Schumacher
This Schumacher Cambay Paisley Print is hands down my favorite. I just did a bench with bamboo legs in a natural dark wood finish. I will have it forever – everyone should have this bench or at least the fabric!
Jen Pool of Dempsey and Carroll
What's the Fuss?
As a young woman entering the work force, I often find myself wondering… “What is the big deal? What is all the fuss about Marissa Mayer (CEO of Yahoo!) and other women like her?” It seemed much ado about nothing … so I thought I would dig a little deeper to find a connection to hold on to; I am, after all, part of an ever-growing group of female professionals.
In my reading, I stumbled upon two...
July 2012
2 posts
Champions of Yesteryear
An Homage to Ombré
Dempsey & Carroll’s homage to ombré this season is a gradient mix of our signature paper and ink colors in like hues. We are seeing ombré everywhere - hair, nails, dresses, and even cake!
Pink Ombré Swirl Cake @ Glorious Treats
No matter your personal take on the ombré trend currently raging through the style sections of every fashion publication – historically it never seems to fade away....
June 2012
4 posts
“I need to write a Thank You note.”
How many times has this thought popped into your head? More to the point, does the thought of acknowledging someone’s act of kindness make you smile or does it fill you with dread? Well, let me see if I can make writing a few lines of thanks more palatable for you. It helps remembering that any hand-written note, no matter how brief, will be welcomed by its recipient. Going through one’s mail...
For the Hostess with the Mostess
Barbecues, Weekends at the Beach, Dinner with Friends….. It’s that time of year!
As the weather heats up, we find ourselves blessed with invitations to the best soirees, socials, and good old-fashioned backyard picnics. There is nothing worse than showing up to a well-planned event, hosted by an acquaintance, friend, or loved one, empty-handed. A host or hostess gift is the perfect...
Letters of Note: A Note From Gene Wilder
We absolutely adore the blog Letters of Note and found the post on Gene Wilder especially charming! Below is Mr. Wilder’s letter to the director of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Mel Stuart, offering his feedback on his costume wardrobe.
July 23rd Dear Mel, I’ve just received the costume sketches. I’ll tell you everything I think, without censoring, and you take...
Father's Day Gifting
From us…
Our Carpe Diem Gift Set has a strong presence and a sophisticated appeal.
Our Ambition Pen by Faber-Castell is a Dempsey favorite. It writes incredibly well on our cotton-fiber papers.
Our Pocket Watch note cards are very handsome and make for a great stationery wardrobe addition.
Our Leather Card Cases are perfect for business cards or credit cards and fit in any shirt...
May 2012
4 posts
More from 1878...
May 2 - US stops minting 20 cent coin.
May 08 - Paul Hines performs the first unassisted triple play in organized baseball.
May 14 - Vaseline is first sold.
May 24 - CA Parker of Harvard wins the first American bike race in Beacon Park, Boston.
May 31 - US Congress accepts decrease in dollar circulation.
June 4 – Turkey cedes Cyprus over to Britain for administrative purposes.
June 13 – Berlin...
A Trip Through Our Archives...
Over the course of Dempsey & Carroll’s long history, our company has published a number of books on the art and importance of engraving.
The three above pictures are a selection of pages with old monogram and crest engravings. Note the intricacy of some, and the clean simplicity of others. Engraving is highly versatile, and no matter what statement you want to...
Etiquette Advice
I understand that traditionally an after six wedding would indicate formal attire. What does this mean for the groomsmen and bridesmaids? Then in terms of guests’ attire, it is okay to indicate on the invitation that something less than formal is okay, such as semi-formal or even casual? I don’t want everyone to think they must wear a tuxedo or gown since the wedding is at 6:00pm.
For a...
The At-Home Card
The At-home card tradition began in Victorian times as a way to officially announce a newlyweds’ joint home together and the date at which they would begin living there. At-home cards were originally sent along with the Wedding Announcement or Wedding Invitation.
Today, at-home cards are still useful as a way to alert people of an address change after marriage. Many people...
April 2012
4 posts
Mother's Day Gifting Ideas
Mother’s Day is fast approaching! Here are some of our favorites from our store…
Our Monica Rich Kosann “i just adore you” gift set is just the right accessory to any paper lover’s stationery wardrobe.
Calling cards, which come in a traditional women’s size (#128), are a useful and thoughtful gift for Mom to hand out when she meets new people.
Our Trina Turk collection is bright, fun,...
Invitation Etiquette: When to Use What Wording
All the options for an invitation can seem overwhelming, but once you finalize a few details it’s really quite simple! Here are some tips to help you with your wedding invitations…
If the Bride’s mother and father are hosting:
The most traditional wording is:
Mr. and Mrs. William Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
If one parent is deceased, just the...
Other Things That Happened in 1878...
As many of you know, 1878 was the year Dempsey & Carroll was founded in New York, but it was also the year that these things happened too!
January 1 – Cleopatra’s Needle arrives in London.
January 5 – At the Battle of Shipka Pass IV, Russian and Bulgarian forces defeat the Ottoman Empire.
January 10 - The Senate proposes Female suffrage.
January 14 - US Supreme...
Quaker Oats Revamps Their Image
There was a great article in the Wall Street Journal last week about the “rosy-cheeked, white-haired man,” Larry, on every Quaker Oats product. PepsiCo, owner of Quaker Oats, has given Larry and the rest of the Quaker Oats logo, a makeover in hopes of more closely aligning itself with healthy-living while also reminding customers of its heritage. PepsiCo has slimmed-down Larry’s face and added...
March 2012
6 posts
The Power of a Personal Note in Today's Real...
We thoroughly enjoyed reading the New York Times’ article entitled “Securing an Apartment With Help From a Love Letter”. While the home space is very personal, in the world of real estate, it couldn’t be more impersonal and “remote”. Thus, letter-writing has helped “buyers seem more human” to sellers and has become a promising strategy for hopeful buyers. Real estate agents who recommend...
A Trip Through Dempsey & Carroll's History
Though we were founded in Union Square, we’ve been all over Manhattan! Check out this map of Dempsey & Carroll’s locations in New York City.
Creating the Monica Rich Kosann Collection
For our most recent stationery collaboration, photographer and designer Monica Rich Kosann caught our eye with her glimmering gold jewelry and her equally bright personality. Monica’s work in gold and silver reflect a classic taste and an appreciation for antique keepsakes. She began designing home accessories and jewelry to create fitting encasements for one of the most important...
Typography 101
When working in stationery, it never hurts to have a love of graphic design and a basic knowledge of typography. At Dempsey & Carroll, we’re all a little bit obsessed with type, and we love it when customers want to explore interesting options and typestyles.
One of the most basic distinctions between different styles of type is whether it’s a serif typestyle or a sans serif typestyle.
A serif...
A Party Planner with A Soft Spot for Stationery
Britni Wood, a party planner living in West Hollywood, was profiled in The Wall Street Journal. Each week, Ms. Wood sits at her desk to write notes to friends, family, and acquaintances. She enjoys the “charming” qualities that a hand-written note brings to both the giver and the receiver. When planning events, Ms. Wood encourages clients to send invitations by mail. Not only does Ms. Wood...
Other Things That Happened in 1878...
1878 was the year Dempsey & Carroll was founded in New York, but it was also the year that these things happened too!
Here’s a list of some incredibly impressive people who were born in 1878…
January 6 – Carl Sandburg, American poet and historian (d. 1967)
January 22 – Constance Collier, stage & screen actress (d. 1955)
April 24 – Jean Crotti, Swiss artist (d. 1958)
May 26...
