Show & Tell: Dana's Bridal Shower

One of our favorite clients threw a shower this past weekend for a bride who's getting married in Anguilla. She was looking for a way to bring a personal touch from the wedding into the shower and have something sweet for the guests.

As a surprise to the bride, she asked us to print our all-butter cookies with a calligraphed map (by Nancy Howell) of Anguilla, with personalized points of interest, in her wedding colors, lavender and sage.

She also asked us to fire-brand the same map onto the lid of a double-wine box, which would hold the cookies and then be given to the bride as a present to use as a wedding keepsake box after the wedding. We can't think of a better place to put all those little treasures.

Show & Tell: Liz's Baby Shower

We love James Taylor. One of our favorite lyrics is "Shower the people you love with love". That is our intention here, for a baby shower for Liz Robinson, collaborator and dear friend (and owner of the ever-fabulous mia*carta!). Pictured here are the cookies that we designed for Liz's shower based on her shower invite (also shown here by mia*carta). What would make it even more special? A hand-printed chalkboard box for the expected bambina. I wonder what she will fill it with someday....

-Heather

Behind the Scenes: Charleston Totes

We thought it might be fun to show a little peak behind the scenes! Here is our assistant Tom silkscreening totes for a bachelorette party in Charleston. He carefully hand-mixed the ink to match the bridesmaid dresses and printed each individually. The beautiful calligraphy is by Judith Ness.

Show & Tell: Metropolitan Club Soiree

We were thrilled to be asked by the Wedding Library to create the invitation for a chic brunch at the Metropolitan Club in NYC. Since the invitation was going to go to a select group of event planners and designers in the event industry, we knew it had to stand out among everything else they receive (and this is a pretty jaded bunch when it comes to invites!). It took about one second to figure out what we were going to do... splits of champagne custom etched with the event details in silver.

We nestled the bottle in a custom-made wood crate and filled it with natural wood excelsior, so that it conjured the image of a nest - perfect for the first day of Spring. Around the crate, we wrapped a printed paper band and attached a paper ribbon printed with each guests' name. The silver wax seal that secured it was custom designed to mimic the gates of the Metropolitan Club. Read what Bizbash had to say about it...

As a special touch, the crates were hand-delivered to the guests - which is usually where our part ends. But this past weekend, we were lucky to be able to attend the soiree held in the glass-enclosed Penthouse Dining Room of the historic club. We dressed up, mingled, and ate some succulent lobster. All while taking in the breathtaking vista of Central Park, just above the treetops. If that isn't living the good life, what is?

Setting: breathtaking. Brunch: superb. Company: fabulous.

When life hands you lemons...

In Italy, you can't finish a meal without enjoying an apertif of Limoncello, a lemon liquor served well-chilled in the summer months as a palate cleanser or after-dinner drink. You can't fling a piece of spaghetti without hitting a lemon grove in that glorious country. And you know, when life hands you lemons... mix them with a generous amount of vodka and sugar, and serve.

For a little bit of Italy, we fire-branded a custom monogram onto the lid of a wooden oval box and filled it with simple, yet sophisticated treats:

• 2 mini-bottles of Limoncello
• Citrus basil travel candle and a set of personalized matches
• Handmade Limoncello Biscotti

Of course, this is just to show what we can do with an idea, we can substitute with any international motif or passion of yours!

What's that you say? A wedding on the Isle of Capri is not in your future? Wondering how to make a Southern New Jersey Wedding feel a bit like Positano, or some other fabulous destination? Not to say that Southern New Jersey isn't fabulous! Here's how:
- Limoncello accents in menu (a sorbet intermezzo or in the cupcakes)
- Bring in Italian phrases into the itinerary, welcome note, table numbers
- Incorporate an Italian tradition like walking from the ceremony to the reception!



Lemons photographed on the Amalfi Coast. They were literally the size of my 1 year old sons head, and would make a lot of Limoncello!

-Susan

Doubly Blessed: Christening Cookies

One of the great pleasures of our work is creating celebration accessories for babies! In this case, it was a fete for twin girls who were Christened last weekend. Their guest's were treated to little sweets at each placesetting which echoed the design of their invitation by AKS. So sweet!

On the rocks, please!

We are quite smitten with these faux rocks, pebbles and shells made out of chocolate. We can't decide which ones are our favorites! We love their earthy palette and they taste as good as they look.

How we're using them:

• We like to pack them into small, simple clear or frosted boxes with a cigar band and have them at each place setting, or tuck into the welcome box with a cheeky message.
• Our printed map cookies look great nestled in a bed of shells or rocks, held in a clear, flat box.
• We love using a small printed burlap bag as a holder (top picture).
• They are a perfect addition to an escort or sweet table!

They look so real that Heather's 6-year old son found an extra bag of them and was playing with them all day and didn't know to eat them. If you can fool a 6-year old candy-lover, you've passed the test. Check out his bulldozer...

Winter Treats

It's funny to write affectionately about Winter on the first day of Spring, especially when it is still snowing. So first, we need to set the scene, get back in the mood, if you know what I mean...

Guests arrive on a clear, bright February day. Snow, fluffy and magical, blankets the Berkshires (but not so much that the roads aren't passable!) They settle into their gorgeous little cottage and find the makings of a perfect cozy private after-party for two:

• Minty hot chocolate (enough to share for the weekend, and some to take home as a sweet memory)
• A set of double marshmallow stirrers, dipped in white chocolate, branded and sprinkled with delicate little snowflakes.
• A little "sugar plum" candlelight and a personalized box of matches.
• All nestled in a wooden wine box with a custom design fire-branded onto the sliding lid.

I don't know about you, but I could handle a helping of that!

The scoop on our winter collection: Each item can be created separately, or grouped with other goodies; this is just to show what it would look like as a set. All components have custom labels.

Click here, or here, or here to see more!

"Fall" in love...

We make no secret of our love for Spring and Summer. But our true love is Fall. After all that heat and craziness that summer brings, we like to stroll into fall. It's slightly crisp outside, and our days happily consist of leaf-crunching, apple-picking and pumpkin-poking.

What we'd really like to do is slip on a little cashmere, pack up for a weekend wedding celebration on a vineyard, drive through the falling leaves and arrive at the b&b to find:

• Apple crate with "Apple-picking at 3 o'clock" message attached to the handle.
• A nice bottle of champagne engraved with a message from our hosts.
• "Harvest spice" travel candle and a personalized box of matches.
• Set of apple lollipops with personalized Aspen leaf tags
• Backpackers fudge - gourmet dark chocolate in weather resistant colored wax.
• And a trail map so that we can set out on our way and explore!

The scoop on our Fall collection: Each item can be created separately, or grouped with other goodies; this is just to show what it would look like as a set. All components have custom labels.

The Start of Spring

Being native Floridians, winter can be tough for us. Not just for the obvious reasons (the cumbersome layering and challenge of snow and
heels!) but mainly because, even as optimists, we can't believe that all this grey will turn to green! Until we see the first Crocus and Forsythia, we are not completely convinced. Now, Spring... Spring is a revelation. Of color, heady florals and sun. Sweet warmth!!!!!

Our spring box is like a Parrot Tulip; young, dressed up and ready to party. Inspired by a wedding we did in Monaco, the palette is hot and citrusy. With this box we welcome guests that are planning to party like rock stars; dance, drink and live it up!

• Round cheesebox with custom design fire-branded onto lid.
• “Hair of the dog” kit: mini-vodka and mixer in a clear shaker with leaf tag.
• "Key lime" sipping straws - flavored straws dissolve while you sip!
• Hangover Helper: sleep mask, Tylenol and Alka Seltzer in clear tube.
• Custom CD - "Wedding soundtrack"

The scoop on our spring collection: Each item can be created separately, or grouped with other goodies; this is just to show what it would look like as a set. All components have custom labels.

Summer in a box

As promised, here is the first box in our seasonal series. We chose the Hamptons as the destination because.... well, it's the Hamptons.

While we were designing this box, it wasn't hard to conjure up fabulous seaside memories; warm sun on our seriously spf'd bodies, soundtrack: part-circling gulls, part-vintage Huey Lewis, scent: a mixture of the ocean and the nearby snack stand. Fast forward to a summer weekend celebration.... What fabulousness would greet us in our beach bungalow? Something part-playful, part-practical, part-indulgent, part-personalized, totally beachy chic.

The scoop on our summer collection: Each item can be created separately, or grouped with other goodies; this is just to show what it would look like as a set. All components have custom labels.

• Wood box with handle, custom map of the Hamptons fire-branded onto front.
• “Ocean" travel candle and a personalized box of matches.
• Old-fashioned, hand-made twist lollipop
• “Too much fun, too much sun" kit (gel eyemask, aloe, Tylenol, Alka Seltzer, Shout wipes)
• Bundle of Soap Rolls
• Box of chocolate rocks
• Map of the Hamptons printed on an all-butter cookie

If only we could fit a scoop of mango sorbet in there....

Map by Nancy Howell Calligraphy

Fun at the Library

We are thrilled to announce that our collection of in-room welcome gifts, hangover helpers, etched wine bottles, and bridal party gifts are now being shown at the Wedding Library.

The fabulous Librarians asked us to create seasonal vignettes showcasing what we would come up with for different destinations at different times of the year. We were up for the challenge! We'll be blogging about each one in the coming days, so stay tuned...


Drop by and check out the goods:
43 East 78st Street (between Madison & Park Avenues)
New York City
ph: 212-327-0100

Obsession: Chalkboards!

There is something so familiar and nostalgic about chalkboards. We love a "blank slate". Our assistant Tom is a fabulous silkscreen printer and indulged us recently by printing on a chalkboard box. The design is one AKS created for a favorite client's birth announcement. It is inspired by Philadelphia (and the Robert Indiana "LOVE" sculpture), silhouettes and of course, natural imagery.

These chalkboard boxes are perfect for: welcome gifts for children (print a tic-tac-toe board!), in-room gifts (write a note to each guest in chalk!), or a gift for a new baby (fill with a box of chalk and a onesie!)

The bonus part is that the recipient will be able to use it again... and again... and again.

Magnum Style

"Champagne anyone?" Count us in. A magnum (equivalent to 2 bottles!) you say? Twice as good!

We adore these oversized, engraved personalized bottles. Here we have engraved the image we created for Lorraine and William's wedding and their wedding date. We think they are perfect as a rehearsal or wedding sign in (just paint markers and you're good-to-go). They would also make lovely gifts or a beautiful addition to a bar or cake table.

If you do want to pop the cork at the wedding itself, ask the sommelier (or some other professional!) to open with a sword. It's a wonderful way to top off a round of lovely toasts!

Also great for making a splash with a corporate gift!

Aidan : Wax Seals

Like an on-again/off-again affair, we are on with wax seals. Remember when Carrie sees Aidan again at the bar opening and he is looking hot? It's like that. We became tired with the cookie cutter look, crumbling consistency and burnt fingers. Enter the new and improved seal, custom made and ready to go. No heating (or blisters) involved. No falling apart or angry postal workers. Just absolutely beautiful, modern palettes made to our custom design. We just made some fabulous oval ones inspired by the gates of the Metropolitan Club in NYC.

Of course there are tons of applications, adorning stationery (invitations, program covers, place cards and escorts, menus, thank you notes etc) but then there are new uses- on bar ware, bottles of wine, on welcome gift containers, on gift wrapping for favors, vases etc.... It's a striking, easy solution for visual continuity, dimension and texture!

Oh Aidan, I still wish she had picked you.

Silhouette Sweets

Silhouettes are a personal favorite of ours. We have silhouettes cut of each of the boys every year (perfect father's day gift!) with hopes someday of a flip book! So when we were asked to create this enchanting silhouette from a photo of a birthday girl dancing with her Dad, we were thrilled!

We used the silhouette on one side of her invitation and the silhouette of a key (with her monogram and age integrated into the design) on the text side. As part of a fabulous sweet table we created cookies of both. So chic.

If it's Tuesday, it must be...

.... Anguilla!

Sometimes our jobs feel like around the world in a five day work week. On the docket right now are weddings and events in Anguilla, Bermuda, Aspen, Kennebunkport, The Hamptons, Charleston, Boston, Berkshires, and of course Manhattan. Each locale informs the items we create for the event. We'll post them as they come to life! Stay tuned...

Shown here: our Hamptons Map printed all-butter cookie.
Map by: Nancy Howell Calligraphy

A Warm Welcome; Follow up

When we send a project out, we like to imagine how the goodies are being enjoyed and love when we get to hear feedback and responses. We blogged about a recent project we did with Rafanelli Events where we found assorted colorful alpaca hats for fun (and useful!) guest gifts. Here's what the Event Planner, Kim Stone, had to say...

"Friends and Family gathered at Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox, Massachusetts for a Valentine’s Day Wedding. They were welcomed on Friday evening with Hot Toddies, S’mores and Snow Tubing! Complete with custom alpaca hats to keep them warm as they played outside. A hand painted tag was added to coordinate with the colors of the wedding. Guests were surprised and delighted to don their warm caps on that chilly night in the Berkshires."

Photos by: Cheryl Richards

Show & Tell: Wedding

We collaborated on a spectacular wedding last fall that was based around a snowgoose motif and monochromatic palette. The bride and groom loved the book "The Snowgoose" and the idea that they partner for life.

Canvas totebags printed with the snowgoose (artwork by AKS), were packed with over a dozen goodies. We filled the totes with indulgences and everyday items from "Milk & Cookies" Bark to Playing Cards to Appalachian Trail Mix (a nod to the southern location) to a travel candle, the guests were welcomed and made to feel at home.

Edible gold-dusted flowers were candied and dusted with gold for an extra shimmer. They are waterproof so they can be floated in drinks or added to a dessert or salad. They adorned the cocktails at the afternoon reception.

Custom printed napkins with two symbols AKS created to represent the Bride's Irish heritage and the Dutch culture of the groom. The artwork was printed in platinum and white - a special detail for the cocktail hour.

Bubble Cake Boxes - These white, mod "boxes" were given out to guests at the end of the party to carry extra cake and desserts back to their rooms. They were adorned with tags that read, "Remains of the Day". Photograph by Azul Photography.

Coasters with the snowgoose artwork custom printed in silver for the cocktail hour, doubled as the tote bag tag when we calligraphed the recipients’ name on it, getting extra usage out of them!

Departure gifts – A luxuriously soft "Nap Sac" is a 2-in-1 blanket/pillow set was a perfect parting gift for international travelers, given out at the farewell brunch.

Hangover kits are the epitome of caring for guests. A box of remedies was the perfect pillow gifts to address the side effects of a great party; light-blocking eyemask, aspirin, antacid, and bottled water with personalized labels.

Embroidered handkerchiefs

We created personalized handkerchiefs for the bridesmaids and mother of the bride and groom. Each was embroidered in silver on Irish linen with the snow goose and date. The exterior of the hankie holder was calligraphed with the recipient's name. A favorite bible quote was on the closure.

Custom printed ribbon - used as a finishing touch on many items like closing the bag of mini-brownies tucked into the totebag. The calligraphy by Nancy Howell said "love" in both Dutch and Irish.

All stationery and designs by Arak Kanofsky Studios
Event Planning by Kate Foster Productions.
Calligraphy by Nancy Howell Calligraphy.