Preston Paper

Tech Savvy with Style!

2011-05-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

Check out our new QR code! Who knew these could be so fun?!

Custom Collection: Wedding Couple Cards

2011-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

This couple is seriously too cute. And now their thank-you notes reflect their style!

Custom Collection: SAP

2011-05-05T13:08:00.001-07:00

I have two custom illustrations that I use for my personal stationery... One is preppy, fun and feminine, and the other is more casual, with an artistic flair. The casual correspondence cards always give my good friends laugh, since I'm holding my keys (complete with my massive, tassled keychain) that I can never seem to find!

Orange is Hot Hot Hot!

2011-05-05T12:26:00.001-07:00

A few of Preston Paper's designs that are oh-so-on-trend!

Cultivate Creativity!

2011-05-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

No matter what you're working with!

Our beautiful arrangement from Trapp & Co. died an early death...

R.I.P very large and expensive arrangement.

So! I salvaged some of the stems...

...and created these two small arrangements!

WSJ = Posh Paper Tips

2011-05-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Graduate with Style! (on paper)

2011-05-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

Trunk Show

2011-05-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

RSVP hosted a lovely trunkshow to feature Preston Paper's new products and Spirit Dress collection for Mother's Day and graduation. If you're in KC, stop by the shop!

Paper Love

2011-05-05T12:01:00.001-07:00

From the Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/16/2796244/sarah-allen-preston-kansas-city.html

Custom Collection: Anniversary

2011-05-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

A special invitation and anniversary card for our loving, caring, and supportive parents, from the crazy kids they have to put up with.
The map shows where they were born (Oklahoma and Florida), where they met (at Camp Seagull & Seafarer on the crystal coast of North Carolina), and how they made their way to Kansas City! Clinton, NY and Dallas are marked with little hearts to represent my brother and I, and the hedgehog thing... don't ask.

Stationery = Heart Healthy!

2011-05-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Thank-you notes play a role in maintaining your health and happiness! (*Statement not yet approved by any medical associations, but trust---it's true!) Pen your notes on some of these fabulous cards by Preston Paper!

Great Gift!

2010-12-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

How cute is this? A good friend put her sewing-savvy to the test, and stitched up this adorable apron for us as a thank-you gift! I'm looking forward to putting it to use over the holidays!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Just a few spooky treats I whipped up!

lovelovelove

2010-10-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

This was possibly one of the best things that happened to me last week... Ok, it was definitely the best. On the suggestion of a good friend, I designed some custom stationery for America's sweetheart of style, Tory Burch... and received this personal note from Ms. Burch as a thank-you! So cool that she likes her paper, and even cooler that she still knows the value of a hand-written note! Style and class... what more can you ask for?

LA Confidential

2010-10-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

These ladies are definitely not wallflowers. Bridgett Cochran and Kelly Porter of Porter Teleo create the most interesting handpainted and printed wall paper. I spent a summer interning for them, and got to work on several pieces for famed L.A. based designer Kelly Wearstler’s house. Peep the pics of this ultra-glam paper in Wearstler’s new book HUE.

Custom Collection

2010-10-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

Designing new packaging! Look at our Custom Collection pics (past posts) to see what gets wrapped up!

Spill It

2010-10-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

My staples:
raybans. post-its. grey nailpolish. credit card. studio keys. iphone (jonathon adler case) trident. ipod. butterfly clips (essential). earbuds. jump drive. lv keychain. tape measurer. preston paper pens.

Sharyn Blond Linens

2010-10-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Another local design ingénue, Sharyn Blond, maven of style and linen. Her designs are classic (originally Constance Leighter Linens), and now include some of my work as well! Shop it here: www.sharynblondlinens.com

Our Version of Country Club Roadies!

2010-10-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

This is a ploy to get my styro-obsessed friend Elizabeth to come visit Kansas City. No, just kidding, this was an effort to combine the two coolest things on the planet: Preston Paper and personalized Styrofoam cups.

this is where we got them...

2010-10-22T23:07:00.001-07:00

We got them here.
Our fave boutique in Prairie Village. Caroline=Social Media and Marketing Queen of Preston Paper…and RSVP’s most frequent customer.

This Pantone World

2010-10-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

I live in a Pantone world, and so our mugs must match. I have a set for my house and one for the studio. Now I just need to start drinking coffee.

TODAY SHOW. This was kind of a highlight of my day. My week. My life.

2010-10-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Sara Haines! Big props to the The Plaid Pig for sending in Preston Paper to Kathy Lee and Hoda!

Oh, and also...

2010-10-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

P.S. Our next door neighbor is a recording studio and they work with Taylor Swift. I used to think they were just grungy musicians. Now I dress up for work.

The NEW STUDIO!

2010-10-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

While it was a bittersweet goodbye leaving Dallas, I am so excited to be back in Kansas City. Our new studio space is just off the Plaza in a fabulous little community of galleries and antique shops. Here are some before, and (almost) after shots of our new space! When we are fully-finished setting up shop... I'll have full-grown children and a mortgage. Just kidding. I’ll post the photos.

2010-10-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

Preston Paper is now carried across the nation-- stay tuned for an updated list of our stores!

National Stationery Show- NYC!

2010-10-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

New York, New York! The National Stationery Show (our first!) We met so many incredible people, and major achievers! Whew! Loved chatting with the wedding crowd: Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings and Stacie Francombe from Get Married (whose posse was tres stylish---I’m a sucker for seersucker!) and getting to meet so many great store owners! From The Buttercup in Charlotte, North Carolina, to The Paper Tulip in Shreveport, we loved getting to know each and every visitor! (*And you can buy Preston Paper at those stores!) Tampa boutique KT Jane’s owner visited Preston Paper, and on a whim we ask whether she knows some friends of ours from Tampa… Know them? One of the family members was in New York with her the day before to celebrate her birthday! Love a good small world story!

Kansas City Trunkshow

2010-10-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

So nice to be back in Kansas City. My mother graciously opened her house to Preston Paper for a trunk show… our first hometown tour! Check out the pics below.

Wise Words

2010-10-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or know to be beautiful.” -William Morris

Miss Manners

2010-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Your mother and Emily Post always told you…

Stationery Trends

2010-10-19T16:58:00.001-07:00

Always feels good to get some lovin’ from the industry experts!

Gladney

2010-10-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where all our extra paper goes? Well, so do we. Honestly, about 10 times a day, SOMEONE in the studio is frantically shoveling through their desk trying to find something to write on. I tend to use my hand as my memopad. I can’t lose it, and, added bonus, it makes people I’m super young (because, seriously, who writes on their hand?!) I digress.

Sometimes we purposefully lose our paper, and this summer we donated a hefty amount of cards to The Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth, TX. Lots of ladies under one roof? Sounded like a perfect spot for Preston Paper!

Custom Collection #9

2010-10-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Oh, where to begin. This BEAUTIFUL bride found her Prince Charming. It all started before I came into the picture. But that's not fun for me, or this blog, so it all REALLY started when my dipsh*t godbrother (and my first, my oldest friend- thank you for being born before I was, Brian) forgot his golf clubs in Kansas City and asked me if I would bring them down to Texas with me on my way back to school. Being the amazing, gracious, and stunningly perfect god-sister I am, I said I would. Ok, I'm kind of bragging now. So, I drove his "precious" (read: 10 handicap) clubs over to Fort Worth, and he sweet talked me into staying and meeting his girlfriend. I met her over a Chipotle burrito (which she brought, so those of you who know me personally know-- this is where TRUE love begins). I could not have been more blessed.

Skip forward a few years, and arrive in Fort Worth, Texas to be greeted with a fab welcome-gift-basket at their wedding! This design was put onto boxes of chocolates, and added a very personal touch to the guests rooms! (I also did the water bottle labels. And drank the wine. But I didn’t charge for that.)

Pictures of their adorable house to follow. (Preview: Arley [holding up a hideous needlepointed framed extravaganza]: "Sarah, what do you think of this?" Me: "Um, I think that would look SO great in the laundry room!" Arley: "Our laundry room is a closet, we have a stackable washer/dryer unit and the only wall space is LITERALLY on the sides of the machines, so you can't even see it." Me: "Yes.") Stay tuned for pics--she's a quick study and their house is looking FAB!

Custom Collection: Best New Product

2010-10-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

This was also nominated at the National Stationery Show for the Best New Product in the Luxury Division. Love love love.

Custom Collection #8

2010-10-19T16:41:00.001-07:00

Custom Collection #7

2010-10-19T16:35:00.001-07:00

Custom Collection #6

2010-10-19T16:24:00.001-07:00

Custom Collection #5

2010-10-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

Our FAB director of Social Media and Marketing commissioned these pads for her big sis. Her vision: “Hippie… but with Chanel.” Honestly, is there a more perfect combo?

Custom Collection #4

2010-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

This creative and DARLING entrepreneur of Ketch the Spirit, a line of spirit gameday wear for girls, called on Preston Paper for her business cards, personal notepads, and notepads for her company. Love the femme feel on things that are usually oh-so-dull! Stylish small businesses require stylish paper. Period.

Custom Collection #3

2010-10-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

These ladies know how to lunch! Cute invitations for a luncheon, and the party favors were bowpads of the same design (minus the text) so if the chardonnay was flowing, the centerpieces will be remembered on paper forever! Or at least until their bowpad runs out.

Custom Collection #2

2010-10-18T15:27:00.001-07:00

Listen up, guys. This is how to do it right. This wonderful boyfriend had a custom card made for his Jayhawk-loving gal’s birthday, requesting her to be ready for a mystery date! Spoiler: He had a driver take them out to Justus Drugstore in Smithville, MO for a romantic dinner. Google it. He seriously rocks.

Custom Collection #1

2010-10-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

One of my past clients broke the news that she was expecting and would be needing new stationery to include the newest member of their family! It’s always exciting to add to a client’s Custom Collection… especially when it’s because the stork is in town! This stylish mama also requested Thank You notes for her baby shower… so chic and unique!

2010-02-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

So things have been a little bit crazy around Preston Paper lately! We have SO many new designs and stores and wonderful things going on, it's been hard to remember to update the blog! Stay tuned for all of the exciting news, products, and other information comin' atcha!

Preston Paper Trunk Show

2009-11-09T14:13:00.001-08:00

On November 21 & 22, Churchill's new store on The Plaza in Kansas City will be hosting us for a trunk show. If you're in the area, please come visit us!

The Kansas City Junior League Holiday Mart

2009-11-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

It's the beginning of November and we already have Christmas songs stuck in our heads. After four 15-hour days at the Kansas City Junior League Holiday Mart, we have seen every Christmas decoration and heard every Christmas song in existence. We can accurately predict what will be in everyone's stocking after our long weekend of exhibiting with vendors across the country.

After setting up our Preston Paper booth, we enjoyed four fun days of meeting with vendors, exchanging contacts and showing off this year's cutest stationary! It was a great learning experience for the both of us (rule #1, don't wear heels on a 15 hour work day). Can't wait to go back next year!

Preston Paper now available at these locations!

2009-11-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

Salutations - Fort Worth,TX
Socially Write at The Shops at Legacy - Plano, TX
Extravaganza - Fower Mound, TX
Distinct Designs - Jefferson City, MO
RSVP - Prairie Village, KS
Sharyn Blond Linens - Fairway, KS

You can also find us at the upcoming truck show at the new Churchill store on the Plaza in Kansas City!

November 21-22

Spotted!

2009-10-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Screams erupted in our apartment yesterday when we were featured in Texas Monthly’s Blog “Closet Case”. Our Maltese mascot, Lilly, didn’t know what to do when her roommates S&E were running through the house to the nearest laptop. It’s so exciting to see Preston Paper in the media!

Happy Birthday to Sarah-Allen!

2009-09-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday, Sarah celebrated her birthday by scribbling in her new MomAgenda…. Now, she’s neither a mom nor a dogmom, however Erin had the brilliant idea (thank you very much!) to give the multi-calendar book as a birthday present for Sarah’s crazy schedules….Trust us, everything changes day-to-day.

Anyways, speaking of calendars, January of 2010 is bursting at the seams with orders! Sarah is literally going back to the drawing board to create more artwork for the latest edition of Preston Paper. Get excited!

6am: Market Day!

2009-09-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

Finally! We got to dress up (S in a pink Milly skirt and E in a Milly shift dress….come on, we live together) and met with our sales representatives at market. Preston Paper will now be represented in Houston, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi in addition to our home base, Dallas!

Pictured here: “Pretty In Pink”

2009-09-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Phew! What a week we had…. After finishing our samples for market (think dozens of trips to Office Depot and the occasional papercut), we were able to take a break to socialize at our friend’s engagement party Saturday. We were so excited to present her with the brunette “Bows & Whistles” bride stationary. It was amazing to see everyone’s reaction after our hard week of work. Sadly, we had to jet early for our big day ahead…..

2009-09-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, there was paper… and then on paper, came portraits… and with portraits, came personalized stationary. Although it’s not the average 20-something’s fixation, Preston Paper’s Ready-to-Write collection has turned us into young entrepreneurs with a fashionable passion (and not to forget, a job right out of college).

This blog is dedicated to our experiences, trials, inspirations and achievements as we, Sarah and Erin, start our own company from naturally…..a piece of paper.