paper goods – Reviving Charm

January is already behind us but I’m still celebrating the new year and I’m celebrating it with a new look. Have you noticed any changes around here? What do you think? A few months ago I posted a survey on the site to get feedback on a few things, including a new header design. There were two designs that I was on the fence about both so I thought I would let you weight in. Surprisingly, the results were split 50/50. It didn’t make my decision any easier but I definitely appreciate everyone who provided an opinion. Thank you!

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. – John F. Kennedy.

I also changed up the overall format of the site. Have you noticed the collage of pictures on the preview of each new post? (I still have to manually update prior posts and do some minor tweaking). I have created inspiration boards, collages, mood boards, or whatever you want to call it, since my high school days long before it ever became a “thing” so naturally, I wanted to include some form of collage-like element to represent my personal style a little bit better.

Several months ago I also created a brand new “stationery suite”, as I like to call it, comprised of a variety of custom calling cards, business cards, tags, labels, stickers, and greeting cards. When creating a website, it’s important to carry the look of your site seamlessly throughout your promotional and marketing materials to keep things looking consistent. It’s all about brand recognition. It’s not rocket science…just Marketing 101. Take a look…

I designed tags and stickers in a variety of sizes.
The round stickers have been great to use as envelope seals on packages and on my new notecards.

I also designed a series of notecards with my logo and an accompanying phrase. They are blank inside so I can compose my own personal message. I also created a “With Much Gratitude” card, although not shown here.

So there you have it…a quick look at just a few of the marketing and packaging items I created. I hope you enjoyed today’s post and this “behind the scenes” with Reviving Charm. All the best….

Snail mail just got a bit more elegant thank’s to the new Forever postage stamps unveiled by the Unites States Postal Service at a “First Day of Issue” ceremony a couple of days ago at New York’s Grand Central Terminal. The new stamps commemorate legendary fashion designer Oscar De La Renta who passed away in 2014. It was most appropriate to schedule the unveiling during New York’s Fashion Week.

“Our family and our company are profoundly honored that the U.S. Postal Service has chosen to memorialize Oscar de la Renta’s life and work with this series of beautiful stamps,” said Alex Bolen, CEO of Oscar de la Renta. “Oscar was proud to be an American and this would have made him tremendously happy. To commemorate his personal version of the ‘American Dream’ with these stamps is a great honor for which we thank the U.S. Postal Service.”

Shown below from left to right: The event was attended by Oscar de la Renta CEO Alexander Bolen, Michael Bloomberg, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, Hillary Clinton, U.S. Postal Service Vice President Janice Walker and journalist Anderson Cooper.

The inspiration for the stamps was taken from some of Oscar’s most famous dresses, including these below. The fuchsia silk faille dress and with metallic embroidery is from Fall 2013. The emerald green taffeta and black Battenberg lace gown is from Spring 2012. I was fortunate to see many of his gowns at an exhibit last year in San Francisco. I talked about it in this post.

The stamp collection features a total of 11 stamps that include a portrait of the designer along with 10 Oscar de la Renta dress and gown details. Exquisite, aren’t they?

If you prefer envelopes, USPS offers these envelopes with a digitally printed stamp and postmark sold in a set of 11.

As far as I am concerned, handwritten letters and notes will never go out of fashion (pun intended). And with the stormy weather here today in Southern California, I think this just might be a great day to stay indoors and write some letters.

I just placed my order for the new stamps and you can order your own through USPS. For a limited time, you can also get free stamps with any purchase of $250 or more at Oscar De La Renta. Use promo code: STAMP

Images via USPS, Oscar De La Renta, NBC News, Vogue, American Philatelic Society, McClatchyDC

Reviving Charm

charming, stylish, and chic

Tag: paper goods

A NEW YEAR AND A NEW LOOK

UNVEILING OF THE OSCAR DE LA RENTA POSTAGE STAMPS